Ambae volcano - Latest News

EXPLORING THE GEONET PROJECT
The eruption of Ambae volcano
Volcano monitoring capability utilised
Monitoring tectonic movement
Well connected: Deep Drilled Braced Monuments
GeoNet team on the move
GNS Science finds its Avalon home
I S S U E S I X – J U LY 2 0 0 6
I N SI D E
I S S U E S I X – J U LY 2 0 0 6
MONITORING TECTONIC
MOVEMENT
Well connected: deep drilled
braced monuments.
PAGE 3
THE ERUPTION OF
AMBAE VOLCANO
GeoNet’s volcano monitoring
capability utilised.
PAGE 4
UP CLOSE
Vital people in the GeoNet project.
PAGE 6
ON THE MOVE
GNS Science moves to Avalon.
PAGE 8
COVER IMAGE
The completed Deep Drilled
Braced Monument at Rangitukua,
by the shores of Lake Taupo.
www.geonet.org.nz
GeoNet is a non-profit project operated by
the Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences
Limited (GNS Science) with core funding
from the Earthquake Commission.
It involves GNS Science building and
operating a modern geological hazards
monitoring system for New Zealand.
GeoNet is a 10 year project which started
in 2001. It will provide real-time monitoring
and data collection for rapid response to
and research into earthquakes, volcanic
eruptions and landslides. Data collected
by GeoNet are available free of charge.
Visit www.geonet.org.nz for more information.
2 – GeoNet
G EONET: EDITORIAL
EXPANSION AND DELIVERY
It has been a year of transition for the GeoNet
project. The scope of the project has grown,
major staff changes have taken place, and the
Wellington-based staff have made the move
to new accommodation at Avalon.
KEN GLEDHILL
EMAIL: k.gledhill@gns.cri.nz
In October last year the founding Project Director, Hugh Cowan, left GNS Science
to take up the position of Research Manager at EQC. Hugh has made a huge
contribution to geological hazards research and monitoring in New Zealand
over an extended period of time, a contribution that continues in his new role.
Hugh was the driving force behind the establishment of GeoNet, and ably led the
project for the formative first four years. This included the first triennial review
and the achievement of ensuring that GeoNet will proceed as originally intended:
a ‘fit-for-purpose’ geological hazards monitoring system for New Zealand.
The enactment of the recommendations of the triennial review of late 2004 saw the
investment in GeoNet by EQC increase from $5 million to $8 million per annum.
This is allowing the installation of a better distribution of sensing sites, improved
access to the data for researchers, and more emphasis on transforming the raw
data into useful information for emergency managers. GeoNet project expansion
resulted in staff recruitment being a major focus during the last year. After early
problems finding suitable new staff, a highly proactive approach was adopted,
including visits to tertiary institutions. This was very successful as witnessed by the
new faces presented on pages 6 and 7. These people bring to the GeoNet project
a variety of skills and talents, as well as youthful enthusiasm.
The tragic tsunami of 24 December 2004 brought about an increased focus on our
international obligations. This has involved working actively with our Australian
counterparts to enhance tsunami monitoring systems in the Pacific, and a greater
involvement with the Pacific Tsunami Warning System, including the recent
Pacific-wide tsunami exercise. We are now exchanging data with various
international institutions, and GeoNet will be the focus for the New Zealand
tsunami warning efforts. Our commitment to the nations of the Pacific was
demonstrated by the involvement in the NZAid response to the volcanic eruption
of Ambae volcano in Vanuatu, reported on pages 4 and 5.
It has also been a year of consolidation as we have assimilated the new staff and
expanded the project to enable us to deliver on the promise of the GeoNet concept.
Much of this work has gone on in the background without obvious changes
to the public face of the project in the form of the GeoNet website. However,
the foundations have been laid for big changes, which will be progressively rolled
out over the coming year. These will include enhanced information for the general
public and emergency managers, and better access to the data for researchers.
To improve the usefulness of the information we provide we will be consulting
many of you about your requirements.
Ken Gledhill, GeoNet Project Director, GNS Science
MONITORING TECTONIC MOVEMENT
WELL CONNECTED: DEEP DRILLED
BRACED MONUMENTS
Continuous Global Positioning System (CGPS) equipment is being used to
monitor the crustal deformation occurring in the zone between the Pacific
and Australian plates along the east coast of the North Island, an area known
as the Hikurangi Margin. Some 60 monitoring stations are being installed
between Hicks Bay, Wellington and Wanganui.
Above: The uninstrumented quadropod,
and the finished CGPS installation, at
Castlepoint on the Wairarapa coast.
Below: Drilling deep on Mt Climie
in the Rimutaka Range.
To get data that are reliable over a very long
time period and to capitalise on the accuracy
of the CGPS system (a few millimetres),
the monument on which the antenna is
mounted must have a very rigid and stable
connection to the underlying land mass.
Over the last few years most of our
monuments have been concrete pillars with
reinforcing bars glued about 2m deep into
rock. This design required good rock at the
surface, but at times it was hard to be sure
this rock was well connected with the greater
land mass. In some areas good rock is hard to
find, such as in central Hawke’s Bay where
there is a lot of limestone, and the volcanic
region where the land is covered by layers of
ash. To overcome these limitations we have
begun using a monument design developed in
the United States known as the Deep Drilled
Braced Monument or DDBM.
A DDBM has the form of a quadropod with
the addition of a central vertical leg. It is about
1.6m high. The legs are made of thick-walled
stainless steel pipe. Each leg penetrates about
10m into the ground and the bottom 6m are
grouted in place. The 4m just below the surface
are in a foam rubber casing to isolate the leg
from potentially unstable near-surface material.
This means the monument foundation is far
more likely to be in bedrock that is stable with
respect to the surrounding geology.
We first did a trial installation on Mt Climie,
with Webster Drilling and Exploration Ltd
doing the complete construction. This was very
successful and only a few changes to design
and technique were needed. The drilling was
done with a purpose-built pneumatic drilling
rig, which is light enough to be transported
to a site by helicopter. Webster’s have since
installed another 15 DDBMs, some around
Lake Taupo and Rotorua.
Some peculiarities of the concrete pillar design
meant it was not easy to contract out their
construction, so we built them ourselves.
Using Webster’s to build the DDBM design,
has proven to be a significant advantage as
it leaves our staff to concentrate on the more
specialised aspects of installing stations.
This has added extra impetus to our build
programme.
Contact: Colin Dyer
Email: c.dyer@gns.cri.nz
GeoNet – 3
WORLD STAGE
THE ERUPTION OF
AMBAE VOLCANO
On 26 November 2005,
Ambae volcano in Vanuatu
began to erupt and the
Vanuatu Volcano Alert
Level was quickly raised
to Level 2 (representing
minor eruptive activity).
As a precaution,
about 4000 people were
moved away from the
immediate area and local
volcanologists were
dispatched to the island
to assess the eruption.
They soon felt they
needed additional
assistance and the
New Zealand Government,
donor agencies and other
aid contributors were
asked to assist.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Trade, through NZAID, contracted two
volcanologists from GNS Science to mount
a response visit. Their objectives included
assisting the local geological and emergency
response organisations to interpret the
eruption, giving a detailed assessment of the
current level of eruptive activity, and offering
some prognosis of the future activity at the
volcano. They were also asked to establish
a temporary seismic monitoring system
on Ambae to collect data to help with the
assessment of activity, and to provide a means
by which Vanuatu scientists can continue to
monitor the activity for the foreseeable future.
Six days were spent on the volcano,
establishing the seismic equipment, gathering
and analysing data, observing the eruptions,
and reporting the status of the volcanic activity
to the Vanuatu Government. Additional data
and support came from French scientists
based in Noumea, and staff and students
from Massey University, Palmerston North.
On arrival, small scale eruptions were
occurring in one of the summit crater lakes
(Lake Vui) and had started to build a cone.
Over the next few days this grew to over
70 metres high and 200 metres across,
and eventually a crater lake was to become
established in the crater of this new cone.
Brad Scott and Steve Sherburn departed
for Vanuatu, taking three seismic recording
systems and other volcano monitoring tools
with them. This was a challenging assignment
due to the short lead-time, the remoteness
of the location, and a lack of volcanological
data. This was offset by their experience
of monitoring and assessing eruptions,
particularly past work in similar situations
in Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu.
After analysing visual observations,
seismic data, gas data from the French team,
and a review of the volcano’s historic activity,
scientists began to assess the eruption as
small scale and of no major threat to the
local population. This information was
passed to the Disaster Co-ordination Group
at Port Vila, the local government and the
community in the form of bulletins,
which were also translated into the local
language Bislama. The assessment concluded
that the Vanuatu Volcano Alert Level 2
should remain until activity declined.
The assignment underscores the value of
permanent monitoring of active volcanoes,
which establishes each volcano’s unique
characteristics over a period of time.
This provides a basis for correlating observed
activity with any changes in a volcano’s geophysical measurements, leading to a clearer
understanding of its behaviour.
Contact: Brad Scott
Email: b.scott@gns.cri.nz
4 – GeoNet
Top: Aerial views of Lake Vui, showing the cone which grew
in the lake during the November-December 2005 eruptions
(left to right: 8 December 2005, 8 December 2005,
16 March 2006).
Background photograph: Aerial view of an explosion through
the active crater of the new cone, 8 December 2006.
Inset, left: Seismologist Steve Sherburn (squatting left
of instrument) and local volcanologist Charlie Douglas
(kneeling right of instrument) explaining to the villagers
how the portable seismograph works.
GeoNet – 5
VITAL PEOPLE IN THE GEONET PROJECT
JEREMY COLE-BAKER
Operations Technician, GNS Science
BRYAN FIELD
Data Control Analyst, GNS Science
Jeremy Cole-Baker works in our Wairakei office
assisting with sample collection programmes,
as well as the installation and maintenance
of a variety of equipment.
Bryan Field is the new Data Control Analyst for
GeoNet. His responsibilities include data quality
and completeness, data archiving and database
management. He is also being trained
in seismology.
He completed an MSc in Earth Sciences at
Waikato University, and also brings with
him a knowledge of Computer Science and
Information Technology.
Jeremy enjoys the variety of work in the
GeoNet project, both the environment and the
equipment: “This is a wonderful part of the
country to be working in”.
He adds, “I also like being part of a project
which is providing both scientific data and
benefits to hazard management, and working
with a great team of people”.
ANNIE DOUGLAS
GPS Operations Scientist, GNS Science
Annie Douglas is working with GeoNet
selecting sites for our rapidly expanding
continuous GPS network.
TOP TO BOTTOM:
JEREMY COLE-BAKER
ANNIE DOUGLAS
BRYAN FIELD
RICHARD GUEST
She completed a BSc (Hons) in Geology from
the University of Otago, which allowed her
to travel to such interesting places as Germany
and the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
She then returned to New Zealand to complete
an MSc in Geophysics. Annie’s research
project “A Geodetic Investigation of Slow Slip
in the Hikurangi Subduction Zone beneath
Raukumara Peninsula” allowed her to work
in collaboration with GNS Scientists.
Annie says, “I am excited by my new role here
at GeoNet and feel that it offers me a great
opportunity to make a positive contribution
to Earth Science in New Zealand”.
6 – GeoNet
Bryan completed an MSc in Physics at the
University of Otago; his thesis “Development
of a Laser Frequency Control System”
developed his research and analytical skills,
which led on to a career in science.
Bryan worked as an Aerodynamics and Surface
Friction Scientist at Opus Central Laboratories
before joining GNS Science.
RICHARD GUEST
Software Engineer, GNS Science
Richard Guest assists with all Information
Technology and Systems Development
projects within GeoNet, with specific reference
to integrating hardware into the geophysical
networks.
He completed a BIT (Hons) in Computer
Systems Engineering at Victoria University,
his specialties including working with Java,
networking and embedded technologies.
Richard has previously worked with the
SIMS team at ESR (Environmental Science
and Research) and as an electronics technician
at 4RF Communications.
RUSSELL MICHELL
Web Developer, GNS Science
BAISHAN PENG
Analyst Programmer, GNS Science
Russell Michell is working with the GeoNet
team researching and developing the GeoNet
website and its design, usability, maintainability
and functionality.
Baishan Peng works with GeoNet developing
web applications to view and manage geological
hazards information.
He originates from Cambridge, England where
he completed a BSc in Cognitive Science from
the University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield.
After coming to New Zealand in 1999,
Russell worked at a web design company before
heading back to the United Kingdom where
he worked as webmaster at Anglia Polytechnic
University in Cambridge, and then as in-house
web developer for Daryl Willcox Publishing,
before coming back to New Zealand and
joining GNS Science in 2006.
Whilst developing the GeoNet website,
Russell hopes to learn yet more about what
makes a great website, from the user experience
right down to the server environment.
NORA PATTERSON
Seismology Operations Scientist, GNS Science
Nora Patterson has been working with
GeoNet selecting sites for the expanded
seismograph networks and learning about data
communications, seismometers and earthquake
seismology.
Arriving in Wellington in 1999 from the USA,
via Australia, Nora completed a BSc in Geology
and Mathematics, BSc (Hons) in Geophysics
and an MSc in Geology at Victoria University.
This led to contract work on the Taupo caldera,
acquiring an ice core from Antarctica
and GPS-based modelling near the Lambert
Glacier in the Antarctic. She has also worked
as a GIS technician for Terralink.
After completing a BSc in Geology in his home
country of southern China, Baishan worked
as a consulting geologist in mining and civil
engineering.
Baishan and his family then emigrated to
New Zealand in 1997, where he received
an MSc in Engineering Geology from the
University of Canterbury and a postgraduate
Diploma in Computing from Lincoln
University.
Baishan first worked for GNS Science as
a GIS technician working on GIS database
development and support for geological
hazards. After working as a Java developer
for MakeTXT.com in Christchurch, Baishan
returned to GNS Science in 2006 as a developer
for GeoNet.
SAM TYLER
Field Operations Technician, GNS Science
As a Field Operations Technician, Sam’s job
involves a multitude of tasks including installing,
commissioning and maintaining geophysical
equipment and data communications, as well as
travelling around the country to investigate and
understand new technologies.
TOP TO BOTTOM:
RUSSELL MICHELL
NORA PATTERSON
BAISHAN PENG
SAM TYLER
Sam completed a BScTech (Hons) in Electronics
and Instrumentation at Victoria University and,
after a four-year career as a lifeguard at Karori
Pool, was the number one facility in-charge
guard before taking up his position with GNS
Science in October 2005.
Nora says, “I’m looking forward to the learning
and challenges that will be part of my job as
Seismology Operations Scientist”.
GeoNet – 7
GEONET TEAM
ON THE MOVE
During early January 2006, the GeoNet Project team was relocated to the
new GNS Science premises at Avalon in Lower Hutt. GNS Science’s natural
resources and natural hazards groups, along with support and corporate staff,
have moved into the Avalon building, which was formerly the home of the
New Zealand National Film Unit.
Although largely working out of the Avalon
site, some electronic equipment has yet to be
installed at Avalon and operations technicians
continue to travel between the two sites.
The satellite dish, radio equipment and the
hardware for field instruments are still located
at Gracefield; within several months most of
this equipment will be in place at Avalon.
MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE
PLANNING FOR A VOLCANIC CRISIS
Above: GeoNet screens at GNS Science,
monitoring seismic activity in real time.
Another improvement at the new Avalon
site was the installation of two large display
screens which show seismograph drums,
recent earthquake information, felt report
maps and other information from the GeoNet
website. These screens provide an ideal display
for visitors to the project and staff alike.
A museum project has been established by
GNS Science to preserve, catalogue, and
display historic geophysical instruments.
Selected equipment was rescued from
warehouse obscurity, where it was in danger
of being lost, and moved to safe storage on
the Avalon site. Some of these items will be
restored and put on display.
CONTACT DETAILS
GeoNet website: www.geonet.org.nz
Email: info@geonet.org.nz
Address: GNS Science, PO Box 30-368,
Lower Hutt, New Zealand
Editor: Jan Harris
GeoNet News is published twice yearly.
Additional copies are available, at no cost
for domestic delivery, from Leanne Dixon,
GeoNet Administration Coordinator
Email: l.dixon@gns.cri.nz
Phone: +64 4 570 4888
Articles published in this newsletter
may be quoted or reproduced as long as
GNS Science is acknowledged as the source.
GNS Science retains copyright on photographs,
diagrams and illustrations and reproduction
may only occur with prior written approval.
Main funding agency:
ISSN 1176-0567
8 – GeoNet
7TH NATURAL HAZARDS
When: 8-10 November 2006
Where: Auckland
Contact: David Johnston
Email: david.johnston@gns.cri.nz
The collection includes a variety of equipment
going all the way back to a Milne seismograph
(circa 1900). Other examples include a Barraud
chronometer, two Askania magnetometers,
gravimeters, pendulum clocks, a number
of seismometers, and a full range of strong
motion instruments.
Above: The GeoNet team outside Hutton Building, Gracefield,
on the departure of founding Project Director, Hugh Cowan
(far right), October 2005. Photo by Colin McDiarmid, 2005.
COMING UP...
When: 22-25 August 2006
Where: Christchurch
Contact: Daryl Barton
Email: d.barton@gns.cri.nz
The move allows for more interaction
among staff, eliminating the isolation
that went with the numerous separate
buildings at the Gracefield site.
The new premises allow easy (and dry!)
access to facilities such as the library,
cafeteria and the excellent theatre.
The move was accomplished with minimal
disruption and the team was working normally
within one or two days. A previous move
within the Gracefield campus, when the
GeoNet Project was first established, had given
staff recent experience in moving and reduced
any major build-up of office clutter.
Lead organisation in the GeoNet project