Hawaii eruption is the 'same type' expected in Auckland - vulcanologist

Auckland's volcanoes, such as Rangitoto, have erupted in a similar way to Kilauea - and could again in future.
SIMON MAUDE/STUFF

Auckland's volcanoes, such as Rangitoto, have erupted in a similar way to Kilauea - and could again in future.

Hawaii's Kilauea volcanic eruption this week is the same type expected to happen in the Super City, according to a vulcanologist. 

Brad Scott from GNS Science said Auckland had the same lava type as Hawaii: fluid and runny, as opposed to the firmer lava type that produced Mounts Taranaki and Ngauruhoe.

"The Hawaiian lava flows will be bigger - it's a much bigger volcano than in Auckland. But we have got lava flows in Auckland you can track that are about seven kilometres long," Scott said.

Ash rises from the Puu Oo vent on Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano.
AP

Ash rises from the Puu Oo vent on Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano.

There's also a distinction made between "wet" and "dry" eruptions - the Kilauea eruption is currently dry, meaning it will leave behind a cone rather than a crater. 

Determining Volcanic Risk in Auckland (DEVORA) is a multi-agency collaboration, including GNS and Auckland Council, which since 2008 has been assessing risks posed to the city by an eruption and providing strategy in the event of one.

Scott said DEVORA was getting ready to publish seven scenarios of different eruptions that could occur in Auckland.

"Once those scenarios are published, they can be used for future planning."

Scott believed Auckland's next eruption would be at a new site, rather than an existing volcano. Rangitoto is the only Auckland volcano that has erupted more than once.

Exactly where and when that eruption would be was impossible to pinpoint. 

Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupted on Thursday (local time), releasing lava into a residential neighbourhood and prompting mandatory evacuation orders for nearby homes.

Hawaii County said steam and lava poured out of a crack in Leilani Estates, which is near the town of Pahoa on the Big Island.

County, state and federal officials had been warning residents all week that they should be prepared to evacuate, as an eruption would give little warning.