Earthquakes

Auckland at risk of simultaneous volcanic eruptions
Tuesday January 23, 2007


Puketutu is one of the volcanoes that may have erupted at the same time as four others. Photo / Martin Sykes

At least five volcanoes in Auckland were born together and the city remains at risk of further simultaneous eruptions, according to a study released today.

The Auckland University results showed that the volcanoes of Puketutu, Crater Hill, Wiri, Mt Richmond and Taylor Hill all erupted within 50 to 100 years of each other, possibly at the same time.

The research further suggested that Auckland and some other major cities could be at risk of future simultaneous multiple eruptions, Dr John Cassidy, of the University's School of Geography, Geology and Environmental Science department, said.

"This is the first evidence that multiple volcanic eruptions in such fields may have occurred at the same time and could have tremendous consequences for people living in these highly active areas."

More here .

Hope it waits until we get there.

White Island could erupt as temperature rises
4:25PM Thursday February 15, 2007
By Kent Atkinson of NZPA


The temperature of White Island's crater has risen to record levels. Photo / BoP Times

Geologists say the crater lake on White Island has jumped to a record temperature of 74degC and the water level has plunged 6m -- possibly signalling an eruption on the island.

The drop in water level "may cause instability in the geothermal system that could result in minor eruptive activity," said GNS Science volcanic surveillance co-ordinator Brad Scott.

White Island in the Bay of Plenty has not erupted since 2000 but the water level has risen 30m in the past six years.

The water temperature in its crater lake has jumped from 45degC last August to over 60degC in January and was now 74degC. The lake water was also very acidic "like scalding hot battery acid", Mr Scott said.

More here .

I just went through a diaster planning briefing recently. It is regarding a potential big earthquake to hit Wellington.

Also just recently we have an earth quake very near the city 40 KM off Porirua in the sea. My office mates call the shaking "Rock & Roll"!

This is a webcam inside the crater of White Island. It doesn't say how often it updates, but might be interesting to keep an eye on if the volcano gets a bout of indigestion.

[MotherBear]

Another one they reckon is about to pop.

Mt Taranaki eruption 'could spew ash over Auckland'
By ESTHER MCLAREN - NZPA | Tuesday, 20 February 2007

Auckland could be suffocated with a layer of ash next time Mt Taranaki erupts, which could be relatively soon, say scientists.

Researchers at the Auckland University school of geography, geology and environment science are studying layers of sediment taken from Lake Pupuke on the city's North Shore.

Dr Phil Shane said Aucklanders might think they were safe from far-away volcanoes.

But ash from Lake Pupuke showed the city had been affected by eruptions from Mt Taranaki and farther afield.

Researchers had so far taken core samples from as far as 18m below the lake floor, giving them an insight into the past 50,000 years of volcanic eruptions.

More here .

[Glenda]

Ooooh, the excitement! Earthquakes in Auckland last night! Welly too. Hope you folks down there weren't too freaked.

:)

Earthquakes shake Auckland region
Updated 9:41AM Thursday February 22, 2007
By Maggie McNaughton and Keith Perry

Auckland was rocked by three earthquakes last night, the strongest measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale.

The tremors, which are unusual for Auckland, were described as shallow quakes and were felt as far afield as Te Atatu and Kawau Island.

The smaller earthquake at 8.24pm measured 3.7, the second (4.5) was at 9pm, and the third (3.8) was at 11.23.

The quakes were the largest in Auckland since 1970, when the city was shaken by a 4.7 quake centred in the Coromandel.

Meanwhile, quake-hardened Wellingtonians weren't fazed by a 4.4-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Picton, which was felt in the capital at 12.41pm yesterday.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/...ectid=10425133

[MotherBear]

Scientist confirms Auckland's 'nasty fright'
By MICHAEL FIELD - Fairfax Media | Thursday, 22 February 2007

Aucklanders worried at what the rest of the country thinks of them can rest easier now - a government scientist has officially confirmed they had a "nasty fright".
Confirmation came after last night's trio of quakes including one that was the strongest felt in the city in 32 years.

GNS Science Duty Officer Bryan Field says the largest was a magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck at 9pm, and was felt from Warkworth in the north right through to Waihi at the base of Coromandel Peninsula.

No reports of damage have been received, apart from minor issues such as a few items falling from shelves.

The two smaller earthquakes occurred at 8.24pm and 11.23pm, and were of magnitude 3.7 and 3.8 respectively.

More here .

Hope there won't be a repeat before we land there - just in case.

[mea]

I was wondering if any of you have ever looked at this site, http://www.geonet.org.nz/recent_quakes.html apparently we gets hundreds of earthquakes every year, although very few are shallow enough or strong enough to be felt. ?I don't believe I've ever felt a very big one, maybe once or twice a year we get a little rattle that we would feel, but I've never jumped up and run for cover under a door frame, except maybe when I was little and we'd have earthquake drills at school ?:D

[MotherBear]

Shame, I was hoping the earth would move for me when we're down there. ?

Don't worry about earthquakes, that's about it for now
5:00AM Friday February 23, 2007
By Errol Kiong ?

Another quake like the one that rocked Auckland on Wednesday night is unlikely in the near future, say geologists.

The series of three tremors, the largest of which measured 4.5 on the Richter scale, was reported to be felt by residents as far north as Leigh, and as far south as Waihi.
All three quakes were 30km east of Orewa in the Hauraki Gulf.

The Earthquake Commission has received 26 claims from Auckland homeowners so far, with more expected. Eleven were for homes in the Auckland city area, six were from the North Shore and four in Waitakere. The remainder were in the more outlying areas of the region.

Commission insurance manager Lance Dixon said most claims were for cosmetic damage such as cracks as a result of joints and plaster boards being jolted out of place.

More here .

A bit more about earthquakes .