Most Recent Weekly Report: 24 May-30 May 2023 Cite this Report

GeoNet reported that earthquake activity and ground deformation at Taupo declined during January-April and returned to background levels in May. The Volcanic Alert Level was lowered to 0 (the lowest level on a six-level scale) on 30 May and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green (the lowest level on a four-color scale). Unrest at the volcano started in early May 2022; during the year there were just over 1,800 earthquakes located beneath the volcano along with ground deformation both on the lake floor and around the lake.

Source: GeoNet

Weekly Reports - Index

2023: May
2022: September | November

24 May-30 May 2023 Cite this Report

GeoNet reported that earthquake activity and ground deformation at Taupo declined during January-April and returned to background levels in May. The Volcanic Alert Level was lowered to 0 (the lowest level on a six-level scale) on 30 May and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green (the lowest level on a four-color scale). Unrest at the volcano started in early May 2022; during the year there were just over 1,800 earthquakes located beneath the volcano along with ground deformation both on the lake floor and around the lake.

Source: GeoNet

30 November-6 December 2022 Cite this Report

GeoNet reported that a strong M 5.6 [later revised to 5.7] earthquake occurred beneath Taupo on 30 November. The event was widely felt and caused a small tsunami in the lake. Lake water inundated the shore at several locations, mostly along the N shore, traveling inland as far as 40 m at Wharewaka Point (along the NE shore). Both the earthquake and the tsunami caused minor local damage. The instrument at Horomatangi recorded 250 mm of horizontal ground movement towards the SE, the largest movement ever recorded at that location. Other onshore stations recorded smaller movements of around 10-20 mm. More than 600 aftershocks were located by 7 December, though the magnitude and rate of the events had begun to decline. The largest aftershock was an M 4.5 and two other M 4 events were also recorded.

Earthquakes larger than M 5 beneath Lake Taupo had occurred only four times since 1952, including a M 5 event that occurred on 4 September 2019 as part of a previous period of volcanic unrest. GeoNet noted that there had been 17 previous episodes of unrest at Taupo over the previous 150 years, some more notable than the current episode, and many others before written records. None resulted in an eruption, with the last eruption occurring around 232 CE. The Volcanic Alert Level remained at 1 (the second lowest level on a six-level scale) and the Aviation Color Code remained at Green (the lowest level on a four-color scale).

Source: GeoNet

21 September-27 September 2022 Cite this Report

On 28 September GeoNet reported that seismic unrest and deformation at Taupo continued during the previous week. About 750 earthquakes have been located at depths of 4-13 km beneath the lake since unrest began in May. During the past week the locations were concentrated beneath the E part of the lake and occurred at a slightly lower rate than the week before. An area of deformation at Horomatangi Reef had been rising at a rate of 60 mm (plus or minus 20 mm) per year since May. The data suggested that the seismicity and deformation was caused by the movement of magma and hydrothermal fluids. GeoNet noted that unrest at calderas was common and may continue for months or years without resulting in an eruption; more significant unrest would be indicated by additional indicators of activity and substantial impacts on the local area. The Volcanic Alert Level remained at 1 (the second lowest level on a six-level scale) reflecting “minor volcanic unrest” characterized by ongoing seismicity and inflation.

Source: GeoNet

14 September-20 September 2022 Cite this Report

On 20 September GeoNet raised the Volcanic Alert Level for Taupo to 1 (the second lowest level on a six-level scale) reflecting “minor volcanic unrest” characterized by ongoing seismicity and inflation. Seismicity beneath Lake Taupo began increasing in May. Earthquakes occurred at a rate of about 30 per week but increased to about 40 per week in early September. A M 4.2 earthquake, the largest so far this year, was recorded on 10 September and felt by over 1,000 people. By 20 September over 700 earthquakes had been located with depths less than 30 km, though most ranged 4-13 km. The earthquake locations were in two clusters: a larger cluster beneath the central and E part of the lake, and a smaller cluster to the W centered just offshore from Karangahape. An area of deformation at Horomatangi Reef had been rising at a rate of 60 mm (plus or minus 20 mm) per year since May. The area of uplift corresponded to the main seismic swarm. The data suggested that the seismicity and deformation was caused by the movement of magma and hydrothermal fluids.

GeoNet noted that unrest at calderas was common and may continue for months or years without resulting in an eruption; more significant unrest would be indicated by additional indicators of activity and substantial impacts on the local area. There have been 17 previous episodes of unrest at Taupo over the previous 150 years, some more notable than the current episode, and many others before written records. None resulted in an eruption, with the last eruption occurring around 232 CE. The Volcanic Alert Level change was informed by ongoing analysis of monitoring data, research, and deepening knowledge of past unrest.

Source: GeoNet

The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Taupo.

This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 25 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

Deformation History

There is data available for 6 deformation periods. Expand each entry for additional details.

Deformation during 1999 - 2010 [Subsidence; Observed by InSAR]

Start Date: 1999	Stop Date: 2010	Direction: Subsidence	Method: InSAR
Magnitude: Unknown	Spatial Extent: Unknown	Latitude: Unknown	Longitude: Unknown
Remarks: Long-term subsidence is associated with the Ohaaki geothermal field.
		Time series of line-of-sight displacement at Ohaaki geothermal field from ALOS PALSAR ascending path 325 starting from 20070113 (date in YYYYMMDD format). Coordinates of TL and BR corners are (?38.48N, 176.25E) and (?38.58N, 176.40E). Red star shows region of fastest subsidence. From: Samsonov et al. 2011.

Reference List: Hole et al. 2007; Samsonov et al. 2011.

Full References:

Hole, J. K., C. J. Bromley, N. F. Stevens, and G. Wadge, 2007. Subsidence in the geothermal fields of the Taupo volcanic zone, New Zealand from 1996 to 2005 measured by InSAR. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 166: 125-146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2007.07.013

Samsonov S, Beavan J, Gonzalez P J, Tiampo K, Fernandez J, 2011. Ground deformation in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand, observed by ALOS PALSAR interferometry. Geophysical Journal International, 187(1), 147-160.

Deformation during 1996 - 2010 [Subsidence; Observed by InSAR]

Start Date: 1996	Stop Date: 2010	Direction: Subsidence	Method: InSAR
Magnitude: Unknown	Spatial Extent: Unknown	Latitude: Unknown	Longitude: Unknown
Remarks: Long-term subsidence is associated with the Wairakei-Tauhara geothermal field.
		Time series of line-of-sight displacement at Tauhara-Wairakei geothermal system from ALOS PALSAR ascending path 325 starting from 20070113 (date in YYYYMMDD format). Coordinates of TL and BR corners are (?38.58N, 176.00E) and (?38.72N, 176.17E). Red star shows region of fastest subsidence. From: Samsonov et al. 2011.

Reference List: Hole et al. 2007; Samsonov et al. 2011.

Full References:

Hole, J. K., C. J. Bromley, N. F. Stevens, and G. Wadge, 2007. Subsidence in the geothermal fields of the Taupo volcanic zone, New Zealand from 1996 to 2005 measured by InSAR. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 166: 125-146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2007.07.013

Samsonov S, Beavan J, Gonzalez P J, Tiampo K, Fernandez J, 2011. Ground deformation in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand, observed by ALOS PALSAR interferometry. Geophysical Journal International, 187(1), 147-160.

Deformation during 1996 - 1999 [Uplift; Observed by Leveling]

Start Date: 1996	Stop Date: 1999	Direction: Uplift	Method: Leveling
Magnitude: Unknown	Spatial Extent: Unknown	Latitude: Unknown	Longitude: Unknown

Reference List: Otway et al. 2002.

Full References:

Otway, P. M., Blick, G. H., & Scott, B. J., 2002. Vertical deformation at Lake Taupo, New Zealand, from lake levelling surveys, 1979-99. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 45(1), 121-132.

Deformation during 1984 - 1996 [Subsidence; Observed by Leveling]

Start Date: 1984	Stop Date: 1996	Direction: Subsidence	Method: Leveling
Magnitude: Unknown	Spatial Extent: Unknown	Latitude: Unknown	Longitude: Unknown

Reference List: Otway et al. 2002.

Full References:

Otway, P. M., Blick, G. H., & Scott, B. J., 2002. Vertical deformation at Lake Taupo, New Zealand, from lake levelling surveys, 1979-99. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 45(1), 121-132.

Deformation during 1983 - 1984 [Uplift; Observed by Leveling]

Start Date: 1983	Stop Date: 1984	Direction: Uplift	Method: Leveling
Magnitude: Unknown	Spatial Extent: Unknown	Latitude: Unknown	Longitude: Unknown
Remarks: Deformation at Lake Taupo is observed from 1983 to 1984 and is related to an earthquake swarm that began on 17 June 1983.

Reference List: Otway et al. 2002.

Full References:

Otway, P. M., Blick, G. H., & Scott, B. J., 2002. Vertical deformation at Lake Taupo, New Zealand, from lake levelling surveys, 1979-99. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 45(1), 121-132.

Deformation during 1979 - 1982 [Variable (uplift / subsidence); Observed by Leveling]

Start Date: 1979	Stop Date: 1982	Direction: Variable (uplift / subsidence)	Method: Leveling
Magnitude: Unknown	Spatial Extent: Unknown	Latitude: Unknown	Longitude: Unknown

Reference List: Otway et al. 2002.

Full References:

Otway, P. M., Blick, G. H., & Scott, B. J., 2002. Vertical deformation at Lake Taupo, New Zealand, from lake levelling surveys, 1979-99. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 45(1), 121-132.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Taupo.

Photo Gallery

An aerial view shows the E margin of Lake Taupo with Taupo City on its shore. The 35-km-wide caldera is not topographically prominent but has been the source of powerful rhyolitic eruptions from the late Pleistocene throughout the Holocene. The 35,000-year-old Tauhara lava dome forms the peak in the background.

Photo by Jim Healy (New Zealand Geological Survey).

Volcanologists Colin Wilson and Peter Ballance examine a roadcut that dissects deposits of major eruptions from the Taupo volcanic center. The bottom visible unit is an exposure of an unwelded pyroclastic flow deposit from the Oruanui eruption, which formed Taupo's initial caldera about 22,600 years ago. Light-colored pumice fall deposits from other major eruptions are between it and the deposits of the 1,800-year-old Taupo eruption (upper right), which were responsible for Taupo's second caldera.

Photo by Bruce Houghton (Wairakei Research Center).

This view looking SW across Lake Taupo, the southernmost major caldera of the Taupo Volcanic Zone, shows several major peaks of Tongariro and Ruapehu. The broad forested peak below the center horizon is the Pleistocene Pihanga volcano. The steep-sided cone on the horizon to its right is Ngāuruhoe, the youngest cone of the Tongariro complex. The broad massif to its right is Tongariro. The snow-capped massif on the left-center horizon is Ruapehu.

Photo by Tom Simkin, 1986 (Smithsonian Institution).

Lake Taupo fills a roughly 35-km-wide caldera that is the site of the most prolific rhyolitic volcano of the Taupo volcanic zone. The caldera was formed during two major explosive eruptions, the Oruanui eruption, roughly 22,600 years ago, and the Taupo eruption, about 1,800 years ago. The latter was one of the world's largest Holocene eruptions. Additional Plinian eruptions during the Holocene have produced widespread airfall pumice deposits.

Photo by Richard Waitt, 1986 (U.S. Geological Survey).

This thick outcrop exposes deposits of the 1,800-year-old Taupo eruption, one of the world's largest during the past 10,000 years. The Taupo eruption produced phreatomagmatic surge deposits, Plinian tephra deposits, and the overlying Taupo ignimbrite, seen at the upper half of this photo above the thin, light-colored layers. The eruption occurred from a vent at Horomatangi Reefs, now submerged beneath Lake Taupo.

Photo by Richard Waitt, 1986 (U.S. Geological Survey).

GVP Map Holdings

Maps are not currently available due to technical issues.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

The following 28 samples associated with this volcano can be found in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences collections, and may be availble for research (contact the Rock and Ore Collections Manager). Catalog number links will open a window with more information.

External Sites