Volcanic activity in New Zealand

New Zealand lies on the rim of the Pacific Plate and the Australian- Indian plate. The collision of this plate causes high mountains to rise. For example, in the South Island, the converging boundary- collision between these two plates has created the Southern Alps Mountain Range. In the North Island, one tectonic plate sliding under another has created a subduction boundary and is the result of volcanic activity. This is why regions like Rotorua and the Central Plateau receive Geothermal activity. The volcanoes in the Central Plateu erupt regularly, as recently as 1996 and 1995. Lake Taupo is New Zealand’s largest volcano. The lake lies ontop of a massive calderas that has the power to move 110 cubic kilometres, compared to Indonesia’s Krakatoa which can only manage to move 8 cubic kilometres.
The Auckland is also made up of volcanoes (although in this region, the eruptions of the volcanoes are much more smaller) but it has been 600 years since it’s last explosion. Aucklansd is the largest and most populous city, if a volcano were to erupt, it would wreak immeasurable havoc. Rotorua contains many thermal reserves, mud pools, hot springs, geysers, thermal rivers, boiling lakes, fumeroles and volcanic terraces. Some of the potential hazards that volcanoes bring to New Zealand are: ballistic full, lava extrusions, volcanic gasses (sulfur), ash falling and suffocating people, volcanic earthquakes and mudslides.
The probability of a volcano affecting New Zealand is low (now.) However, it is expected that in the future, the probability of a volcano erupting will dramatically increase. The instiute of Geological and Nucleur Science (organisation) is regularly monitoring the nature, magnitude and frequency of past earthquakes. The organisation is constantly updating hazard maps to indicate areas vulnerable to lava flows and ash fall. The organisation is also developing emergency management techniques for use in the community if a volcano were to erupt. GNC is also designing volcano surveillance systems and analyisng the reliance of engineering (reliability of roads, bridges, communication linesetc if a volcano were to erupt.)
The Taranki Regional Council has a volcanic strategy that describes the roles and responsibilities for volcanic response and describes the “ground rules,” “for all participating agencies.”
The Massey University has conducted regular reports, monitoring seismic activity at MT Taranki.