Scientists revealed evidence of hundreds of ancient eruptions in New Zealand after reconstructing 350 000 years of volcanism across the North Island. These explosions would cause widespread havoc if they occurred in the present time. The researchers focused on…
Unusual interaction between two low-pressure zones caused intense storms over New Zealand's Northland on July 17, 2020. The worst affected was Whangarei, where emergency services responded to more than 220 calls. "This is just diabolical for our people….
A major landslip is on the move in Central Otago, New Zealand, prompting authorities to shut the southbound lane on the Cromwell-Clyde Road on SH8 on July 14, 2020. Helicopters with monsoon buckets were delivered from Queenstown to dump water on the slip in an…
Two tornadoes ripped through the cities of Auckland and Papamoa in New Zealand's North Island on Saturday, June 27, 2020, causing major structural damage. The storms tore roofs off homes, knocked trees and power lines, and blew away debris. The first tornado…
Auckland's Watercare Services is drawing about 15 million liters (4 million gallons) of water a day more from the Waikato River since June 16, invoking emergency powers in response to its worst drought in 25 years. New Zealand utility company Watercare is…
The severe drought in North Island, New Zealand– the worst in 50 years in some areas– has prompted the Auckland Council's Emergency Committee to introduce mandatory water restrictions, which will be effective across the region beginning May 16, 2020. This…
A moderately strong earthquake registered by the GeoNet as M5.6 at a depth of 67 km (42 miles) hit near Te Anau in South Island, New Zealand, at 22:52 UTC on April 26, 2020 (10:52 LT on April 27). The USGS is reporting it as M4.9 at a depth of 79 km (49 miles). The…
Mount Ruapehu's Crater Lake (Te Wai a-Moe) heated from 24 °C (75.2 °F) to 40 °C (104 °F) in response to earthquakes beneath the volcano, according to the GeoNet bulletin issued on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at…
The New Zealand army has been deployed to drought-stricken Northland to assist in relief efforts amid worsening drought conditions. Authorities described the situation as the worst drought on record. The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)…
Crater Lake (Te Wai ā-moe) has responded to a short-lived episode of volcanic earthquakes beneath Mount Ruapehu, detected on February 22 and 23, 2020. Seismicity declined after initial uptick but is now back at similar levels. To further understand the current…
