What the latest research says about Auckland’s volcanic field: How imminent is the next eruption?

2025-07-15

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Most of central Auckland sits on the remains of 53 volcanic cones and craters. While there’s no way of knowing when an eruption will happen, it’s been said time and time again that it’s not a case of ‘if’, but ‘when. New research now suggests that deathly clouds of hot, fast-moving gas and debris could travel much further than previously thought if an eruption happened in Auckland. But, how likely is it that a volcanic eruption could happen in Auckland in our lifetime? And what can we gain from this r...

Most of central Auckland sits on the remains of 53 volcanic cones and craters.

While there’s no way of knowing when an eruption will happen, it’s been said time and time again that it’s not a case of ‘if’, but ‘when.

New research now suggests that deathly clouds of hot, fast-moving gas and debris could travel much further than previously thought if an eruption happened in Auckland.

But, how likely is it that a volcanic eruption could happen in Auckland in our lifetime? And what can we gain from this research?

Today on The Front Page, we’re talking to University of Auckland professor Jan Lindsay, who is spearheading the research into our volcanic threats.

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You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Ethan Sills

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