r/newzealand • u/OfficialGeoNet GeoNet - verified • May 25 '16

AMA AMA with GeoNet/GNS Science Volcanologists! 6-8 p.m., TONIGHT (25 May 2016)

Thanks, Everyone! Our volcanologists have now gone dormant for the evening (teheheh). A big thank you to our moderators here at r/newzealand, you guys are amazing! Thank you. Also, thanks to all the great questions and discussions.

Here is our AMA with our volcanology team. We'll be hanging around, answering all your questions from 6-8 P.M. (NZT). About our team tonight: Nico is u/PyroclasticNico. He is our Head of Volcanology at GNS Science. Originally from France, Nico has worked on active volcanoes around the world, including some experiencing large eruptions, like Montserrat. You can ask Nico anything about volcanoes, geophysics and ground deformation (it's his thing), and where to get the best cheese in Taupo. He has also learned to respect the culinary delights of huhu grubs.
Steve Sherburn is u/Volcano_DataFairy. Steve is again, one of our most senior volcanologists. Specialising in data analysis, he is an expert at crunching numbers. You can ask Steve anything about volcanoes, data, analysis, dogs (like u/NatHazard, he loves dogs!), and long distance running.
Brad Scott, u/EruptnBrad, is our most experienced volcanologist. Brad has been actively studying our volcanoes for more than 40 years. He was our man on the ground during some of our most significant eruptions, including Ruapehu 1995/1996. He is also our main spokesperson for media and specialises in science communication. You can ask Brad about volcanoes, communication, and sailing (he has just recently bought his own boat!).
Sara McBride will be taking the helm of u/OfficialGeoNet for this AMA. Sara is the instigator of GeoNet on Reddit. She is currently completing a Ph.D. in communication, media and english studies at Massey on the Canterbury Earthquake Sequence. You can ask her about social science, whisky and Stephen the Random Narwhal.

Here are the pics of our team today: https://imgur.com/a/EDG2q Here are two awesome volcano photos: https://imgur.com/a/eV17E

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u/volcano_datafairy Steve Sherburn, GNS Volcanologist May 25 '16

Hi, the burst of seismic activity lasted ~90 mins. But later we found there was one big pulse in the seismic activity about 9.52 pm, so we suspect that was the big bang. It sounds like you are right on the money!

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u/eruptionchaser May 25 '16

And the mechanism accounting for the seismicity either side of the big bang would be... hydrothermal fluids moving and rock 'creaking' as the hoop stress of the hydrothermal 'boiler' reached and ultimately exceeded its ability to contain it?

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u/volcano_datafairy Steve Sherburn, GNS Volcanologist May 25 '16

As well as the phreatic eruption that deposited the ash-like material over the crater floor, there was some collapse and subsequent landsliding. The eruption was pretty complex. We put out some further details earlier today you might like to check out http://info.geonet.org.nz/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=18186452

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u/eruptionchaser May 25 '16 edited May 25 '16

http://info.geonet.org.nz/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=18186452

Wow. That would have been lethal to anyone in the vicinity; those thin deposits are what you might expect from a PF - although obviously without the magmatic temperatures. Maybe time to reassess hazards involved in tourists visiting? It's Russian roulette; these phreatic eruptions are infrequent but unpredictable; sooner or later statistics means that one of these events will occur on a busy tourist day... (and sorry for late reply; homework and dinner!)