Volcanic eruption

An eruption of Egmont Volcano (Mount Taranaki) is not a matter of 'if', it is a matter of 'when'.

This page has advice on how to prepare for and cope with a volcanic eruption, and background information on volcanic activity and how it is monitored.

Before an eruption occurs

Discover which volcanic hazards are likely to affect you. If you live in an active volcanic zone, assume that you may have to deal with the effects of an eruption.

If you live in an area that could experience a mud flow during a volcanic eruption, know a quick route to safe ground.

When an eruption threatens

If volcanologists agree that a life-threatening eruption is likely to take place, a local emergency will be declared and the danger area evacuated.

During an eruption

DO

• Save water at an early stage - supplies may become polluted.
• Stay indoors with your pets as much as possible.
• Wear mask and goggles if you go outside, to keep volcanic ash out of your eyes and lungs.
• Keep gutters and roof clear of ash - heavy deposits can collapse the roof.
• Take your outdoor clothing off before entering a building - volcanic ash is difficult to get rid of.
• Listen to the radio for information
• Take your Getaway Kit with you if you have to leave. Turn electricity and gas off at the mains.
• Advise the Emergency Management Office if you evacuate - 0800 736 222

DON'T

• Go sightseeing.
• Leave home unless advised to by the Emergency Management Office or Police.

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Understanding the hazard

Egmont Volcano is Taranaki's closest active volcano … yes, it is active and has erupted around nine times in the past 1,000 years, it's just been having a little rest since its last eruption around 1755.

The Taranaki 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 hazards of most concern are hot ash flows, mud flows and volcanic landslides. These are the hazards that can kill you if you get in the way!

Do you know which volcanic hazard zone you live in?

Do you know how far you will need to go if evacuated?

Earthquake activity around the volcano is monitored 24 hours-a-day with no signs of volcanic activity having been recorded since monitoring began in 1991. If this changes, the CDEM Group will advise the public. A photograph of the volcano is taken every hour and can be viewed on the GeoNet website (click on link in navigation panel at right).

The Taranaki Regional Council monitors rainfall and river levels throughout Taranaki to provide flood warnings when necessary. The Council has also put considerable effort into identifying the volcanic hazards and maintains a volcano seismic monitoring network to monitor for earthquakes related to potential volcanic activity. For more information, click on the link in navigation panel at right.

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Ashfall guidelines

The International Volcanic Health Hazard Network (IVHHN), the US Cities and Volcanoes Commission, New Zealand's GNS Science and the US Geological Survey have prepared guidelines for those who experience volcanic ashfall.

The guidelines include procedures to follow if warning of a volcanic ashfall is given, recommendations about what to do during ashfall, and what methods are most effective for cleaning up volcanic ash after the event.

Click in the link below to download the guidelines.

Guidelines on Preparedness Before, During and After an Ashfall (425KB)

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Volcano seminar, September 2007

The region was given some sobering reminders on September 20, 2007, of the need to be prepared for some particularly Taranaki Civil Defence emergencies.

A panel of experts told two New Plymouth seminars of the probability and consequences of volcanic activity on Mount Taranaki.

The seminars were organised by the Taranki Civil Defence Emergency Management group and included presentations by experts from Massey and Auckland Universities, GNS Science, the Earthquake Commission and the Taranaki Regional Council.

Four slide presentations from the seminar are posted below in PDF format. For PowerPoint presentations by these or other speakers at the seminar, email webmaster@trc.govt.nz.

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