GeoNet

Scientists observe spate of Taupō quakes but the supervolcano isn't any closer to blowing.

"Taupō is an active volcano and earthquakes, and uplift or subsidence will continue to occur in the future." "This implies that the increased earthquake activity in the area since May 2022 may have been accompanied by some uplift of part of Taupō volcano, as was also observed in 2008-2009 and 2019," Mazot said. "We think that the earthquakes and uplift/subsidence at Taupō are a result of a mix of regional deformation processes and the magmatic system under the volcano." Analysis of the 2008-2009 activity indicated that the behaviour of the Taupō volcano was influenced by a slow-slip event on the Hikurangi subduction zone to the east. "Earthquake activity like this is very typical globally and has been common in the Lake Taupō area, occurring every few years," Mazot said. This year, about five clusters have been active - beneath the central part of the lake, north of the lake at Wairakei, Rotokawa, and Ngatamariki, and at Tūrangi - but it'd been the one in middle of Taupō in which scientists had seen an uptick in activity.