Seismic monitoring network

What is it?
The Taranaki Volcano Seismic Network is a group of six seismometers that are linked by radio to a central location for near - immediate analysis.

What is it for?
The network is designed to gather accurate information about the natural earthquake activity under and around Egmont Volcano.

This information provides baseline data that will be used in two ways. Primarily, the network will provide an indication of potential volcanic activity, which is of vital importance for providing an early warning of a volcanic eruption. It will also indicate whether earthquakes are related to Egmont Volcano.

Secondly, this information will be useful for ongoing scientific research.

Where is it?
Seismometers are installed at six sites around Egmont Volcano. These sites were carefully chosen to give good coverage at various altitudes around the mountain.

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1 Ngariki Road seismometer
2 Mid Kahui repeater site
3 Newall Road seismometer
4 Pukeiti seismometer and repeater
5 North Egmont seismometer
6 Rainy Point seismometer and repeater
7 Dawson Falls seismometer
8 Emergency Management Office data relay equipment

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How does it work?
A seismometer is a small electronic device that detects pressure waves generated by an earthquake. These pressure waves travel through the ground. Each seismometer will detect the arrival time and strength of each wave. This information is transmitted by radio and telephone line to a computer system which calculates (by triangulation) the location and size of the earthquake.

By analysing the type of information that is being recorded by the network, scientists can determine whether or not the earthquake is of a volcanic nature.

'Volcanic tremors' have a different signature to the more common 'tectonic earthquakes'.

Near - real - time information can also be viewed at the volcanic display at Puke Ariki.

On a regular basis, the computer information gathered by the network will be analysed by staff at the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences. The information will then be reported on, and archived for future reference.

How was it achieved?
The Taranaki Regional Council was the first Regional Council in New Zealand to embark on a project of this nature, with the assistance and expertise of the University of Auckland, Massey University and the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences.

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