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Lecture: Tongariro re-awakens - what now?

Wednesday 15 August 2012, 5:26PM

By Massey University

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PALMERSTON NORTH

Massey University Professor Shane Cronin will give a lecture detailing last week’s Mt Tongariro eruption at the Palmerston North Library tomorrow.

On Monday August 6, at 11.50pm, Mt Tongariro erupted for the first time in over 100 years, shooting rocks into the air and spewing ash onto roads, farms and buildings.

Volcanologists from Massey University were quick to respond to the eruption and raced to the volcano to collect ash samples and other data. Tests on the samples and analysis of the data have given an insight into what caused the eruption and what risks the widespread ash posed to human health and agriculture.

Professor Cronin will share the latest details on the eruption and clues as to what might happen next at Mt Tongariro.

He is the director of Volcanic Risk Solutions – a research group at Massey University focused on understanding volcanoes and volcanic risk.

The team works in collaboration with researchers at GNS Science, Auckland, Waikato and Canterbury universities, as well as the Department of Conservation and regional councils, to gain a better understanding of, and help mitigate, the hazards posed by New Zealand’s volcanoes.

Date:   Thursday, August 16
Time:   12.15pm – 1.00pm
Venue: Palmerston North City Council Library Events Central, George Street.