The popular Mount Taranaki in New Zealand is “almost certain” to erupt.
Camera IconThe popular Mount Taranaki in New Zealand is “almost certain” to erupt. Credit: Supplied, iStock

New Zealand’s Mount Taranaki ‘almost certain’ to erupt

AAP, staff writerNews Corp Australia Network

DISASTROUS volcanic eruptions have devastated Hawaii and Guatemala, and now, New Zealand could be next.

A civil defence plan for New Zealand’s North Island found the popular Mount Taranaki — about four hours from Wellington — was “almost certain” to erupt in the next 50 years.

And the consequences could be catastrophic, according to authorities.

Mount Taranaki is beautiful, but potentially deadly.
Camera IconMount Taranaki is beautiful, but potentially deadly. Credit: istock, iStock

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“An eruption of Mount Taranaki could produce volcanic hazards such as tephra falls, pyroclastic density currents, lava flows, lahars, flooding, debris avalanches, sector collapses, lightning and volcanic gases,” the report said.

“An eruption of Mount Taranaki is not a matter of ‘if’, it is a matter of ‘when’.”

About 450,000 people visit the surrounding Egmont National Park each year, with hiking trails going to the mountain’s 2500-metre high summit.

An eruption at the volcano could have catastrophic consequences.
Camera IconAn eruption at the volcano could have catastrophic consequences. Credit: AP
Eruptions in Guatemala and Hawaii have highlighted how important it is to be prepared, authorities said.
Camera IconEruptions in Guatemala and Hawaii have highlighted how important it is to be prepared, authorities said. Credit: AFP

But it’s not just visitors to the surrounding park that would be in the firing line, with a number of nearby townships and infrastructure likely to be “severely affected” and in need of evacuations.

Moderate or large eruptions have taken place on the mountain about every 500 years, and modelling shows the predicted likelihood of an eruption in any given year has nearly doubled, from 1.6 per cent to 3.1 per cent.

The last major eruption there was in about 1655.

Mount Ruapehu in New Zealand’s North Island erupted in 2007.
Camera IconMount Ruapehu in New Zealand’s North Island erupted in 2007. Credit: News Limited, Supplied

New Zealand’s seismic monitoring agency has three monitoring sites in the area, which authorities hope will provide warning signs when something does happen.

There are currently no signs to suggest any activity.

Civil Defence group manager Craig Campbell-Smart told Radio NZ eruptions overseas highlighted the importance of being prepared for a major explosion.

In Hawaii, lava is still spewing from the Kilauea volcano, and in Guatemala, Volcan De Feugo is still clocking about five minor eruptions a day.

Mount Taranaki last erupted in about 1655.
Camera IconMount Taranaki last erupted in about 1655. Credit: Flickr, Jon Sullivan

Visitors to New Zealand who may been concerned have been advised none of the South Island’s mountains are active.

Sitting at one end of the Pacific Ring of Fire, volcanic activity has played a major role in the shaping of New Zealand’s landscape.

In recent years, much focus has been on the county’s largest active volcano, Mount Ruapehu in the central North Island, which erupted in 2007, nearly killing a climber.