Virtual eruption to touch hundreds

Hundreds of people have signed up for the inside story on a virtual eruption of Mount Taranaki.

The action starts in mid-September as part of Taranaki Blowout (www.taranakiblowout.org), an internet-based community exercise based on an eruption scenario and aimed at increasing people's understanding and preparedness.

More than 300 people have registered so far to get email alerts as Taranaki Blowout's "volcanic activity" steadily increases in line with the scenario developed by volcanologists. Registration is in three categories - individual/household, school-teacher or business - and information will be tailored for each sector.

"We've asked people to indicate the size of their household if they're registering in that category, and in total that comes to almost 700 people so far," says Taranaki Blowout spokesman Mike Langford.

"We've also had teachers from 23 schools and kindergartens register, and they've already got access to teaching units that have been developed for this exercise. So hundreds of students will also be part of Taranaki Blowout."

More than 50 people have registered in the business category, which he says is especially pleasing.

"Given the day-to-day pressures on businesses, it is hard for them to find the time to think about something a little more uncertain and less immediate, such as a natural hazard."

Mr Langford says participants will not only gain a better understanding of how an eruption is likely to unfold, but they will also get good advice and information on how to prepare now for the day it happens in reality.

The exercise is being organised by the region's Civil Defence Emergency Management Group, with whom Mr Langford serves as the Taranaki Regional Council's Senior Emergency Management Officer.

"We're confident this will be New Zealand's biggest community-based volcano exercise," Mr Langford says. "Previous exercises here and elsewhere have involved Civil Defence and other agencies, but this one is all about public involvement."

The New Zealand Red Cross New Plymouth branch is a partner in the exercise, which is also being supported by GNS Science, the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, M&O Pacific, Powerco, Methanex, Pace Engineering, Classic Hits and More FM.

Taranaki Blowout will culminate during Get Ready Week (formerly Disaster Awareness Week) from 10 to 16 October and the CDEM Group is planning follow-up surveys to assess the effectiveness of the campaign.

To find out more about the exercise, go to www.taranakiblowout.org.