Volcanic ash booklets available for locals
13 January 2013
The International Volcanic Health Hazard Network has produced two useful information booklets to promote the safety of those who experience volcanic ashfall.
The booklets are entitled 'Guidelines on preparedness before, during and after an ashfall' and The health hazards of volcanic ash: A guide for the public'.
Most people know that Rotorua sits within the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which stretches from Ruapehu to White Island. We are the hinge where East Cape twists towards Hawkes Bay, which is why our volcanic eruptions are so violent.
Here are some more interesting volcanic facts about Rotorua that you may not know:
- Rotorua is the only single event caldera in New Zealand
- The caldera was formed 250,000 years ago
- Lava domes were produced later (Mt Ngongotaha, Hinemoa Point, Mokoia Island, Kawaha Point, Pukeroa Hill)
- The lake level was once 90 metres above the present level (if you look at Tihi-O-Tonga you can see the terracing formed by receding lake levels over a very long period of time). The lake also used to drain through the Hemo Gorge to the Waikato River at that time.
- Ash from Rotorua, Taupo, Taranaki, Ruapehu etc has covered Hamilton and Auckland at least 46 times over 20,000 years
- GNS has 3 seismographs and 3 continuous GPS stations monitoring the volcanic activity.
There have been a few smaller eruptions over the past few months from White Island, Ruapehu and Tongariro, which haven't really affected us in any way, but scientists still say there is a likelihood of more, unexpected ones occurring.
When this does happen will you know what to do? Collect free copies of the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network's information booklets from the council Civic Centre, or you download them from www.ivhhn.org