A swarm of over 50 earthquakes has been recorded in the geothermal area, north of Taupo volcano, since 18:00 LT (05:00 UTC) on Thursday, January 30, 2025. The strongest earthquake was M2.9, with many earthquakes being reported as ‘unnoticeable’ or ‘weak’ by GeoNet.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports discovered volcanic debris from the Taupō eruption approximately 1 800 years ago deeply embedded in Antarctic ice. The findings, made at a depth of 279 m in West Antarctica, offer a precise date for the historical New Zealand eruption.
An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.4 struck beneath Lake Taupō, New Zealand on March 5, 2023, followed by more than 20 aftershocks. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1, which denotes minor volcanic unrest, and the Aviation Color Code is Green. Although there is no immediate risk, the potential for eruption hazards cannot be entirely ruled out, and it is essential that visitors and residents follow the recommended safety guidelines.
GeoNet experts have been busy collecting and analyzing data to help them understand exactly what happened during and following the M5.7 earthquake at Lake Taupō on November 30, 2022, including ground shaking, landslides, volcanic activity, and a tsunami.
More than 600 aftershocks have been recorded following the M5.6 earthquake beneath Lake Taupō, New Zealand on November 30, 2022 — one of the largest recorded in Lake Taupō region. No further unusual activity has been observed and the minor volcanic unrest at Taupō volcano continues. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1.
About 20 m (65.6 feet) of foreshore in Wharewaka, Lake Taupo, New Zealand disappeared after a strong and shallow M5.6 earthquake and numerous aftershocks at Taupō volcano at the end of November 2022.
Seismic unrest continues at Taupō volcano, New Zealand, with a strong and shallow M5.6 earthquake registered on November 30, 2022. The Volcanic Alert Level for Taupō volcano was increased to Level 1 on September 20, 2022. This was based on ongoing earthquakes and deformation at levels above typical background since May.
Minor volcanic unrest continues at New Zealand’s Taupō volcano, as shown by continued small earthquakes and ground deformation. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 1.
The Volcanic Alert Level (VAL) for Taupō Volcano, New Zealand was raised to 1 (minor volcanic unrest) on September 20, 2022. The unrest is causing earthquakes and ground deformation at the volcano. The last eruption of this volcano took place in 260 CE.
GeoNet is reporting an increase in earthquake activity under Lake Taupō since May 2022. Lake Taupō is a large caldera volcano, a special type of volcano that has rare but unusually large eruptions.
