MEDIA RELEASE
20 February 2014
Study may improve predictions of volcanic eruptions
Investigating material thrown out of Mount Tauhara on the outskirts of Taupo during several eruptions has provided
accurate data which could be used to predict how quickly some volcanic eruptions occur.
Dr Monica Handler, Senior Lecturer in the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences at Victoria University of
Wellington, is part of a team of researchers which studied the Tauhara volcano, in the Taupo Volcanic Zone.
By understanding the characteristics of the magma erupted from Tauhara, says Dr Handler, we are better able to predict
the behaviour of volcanoes of similar compositions, which also occur in continental volcanic regions such as the
Cascades and Andes ranges of North and South America.
“If movement is detected underground, we now have a better understanding from Tahara’s example, how these types of
volcanoes can work and are better able to predict how quickly the magma can reach the surface of the earth and erupt.”
Tauhara has some peculiar aspects, says Dr Handler, which have allowed scientists to gain new knowledge about volcanic
eruptions. “Only minor amounts of the type of magma erupted have been found in the Taupo Volcanic Zone and the
individual crystals in the rocks erupted by Tauhara should not normally be found together in the same rock.”
To understand how the unusual magma formed, the team carried out investigations on individual crystals found in the
rocks using the state-of-the-art geochemistry laboratory at Victoria University.
The mineral chemistry gives information about the composition of the molten magma it grew in, as well as the pressure
and temperature at which it formed. This provides information about what depths the magma formed and was stored. And
also, importantly, for how long.
“Our data show that different magma batches took from as little as two months to up to two years to form under Tauhara
volcano. We were also able to calculate that it took only two to three weeks for the magma to ascend to the surface and
erupt,” says Dr Handler.
“The more we understand how the different types of volcanoes work, the better we’re able to monitor them. If we start to
see evidence of activity we may be able to identify the pattern and understand what might happen and how to mitigate the
results of that.”
People live in close proximity to the Taupo Volcanic Zone, says Dr Handler, so it’s vital to have the best information
possible about the different types of eruptions that can occur.
The work, undertaken by Master of Science student Chelsea Tutt, with the supervision of Dr Handler, Dr Marc-Alban
Millet, and Professor Joel Baker, is part of a broader research programme, applying the laboratory facilities at
Victoria University to problems of understanding the rare but hazardous eruptions in the central North Island.
The findings add to a global understanding of volcanoes and their timeframes for erupting, which is critical to
predicting how much of a risk they pose.
ENDS