Natural Disasters

Latest Stories

Magnitude 4.7 earthquake near Wellington felt by thousands

The earthquake was centred 25km west of Paraparaumu.

Wellington •Sat, May 14

Date for test of emergency mobile alert system announced

There will be a phone alert you can’t ignore – but don’t worry, it’s just a test.

Emergency management agency has Whakaari charge dismissed

It was one of 13 organisations and individuals charged with failing in their duty to ensure the safety of tourists on Whakaari/White Island.

Natural Disasters •Tue, May 3

Steam plume spotted above Mt Ruapehu amid signs of volcanic unrest

GNS Science say it ascended slowly above the summit on Tuesday morning.

Natural Disasters •Tue, May 3

Mt Ruapehu has strongest tremor in 20 years

The temperature of the Crater Lake has also risen in the past three days.

Natural Disasters •Mon, May 2

12 dead after landslide at illegal Indonesian gold mine

About 14 women were looking for gold grains at a small and unauthorised traditional gold mine in a remote village when a landslide plunged down surrounding hills and buried them

Accidents •Fri, Apr 29

Kiwi medical team in Tonga helping mental health fallout after tsunami

A group from the Pasifika Medical Association has been helping hundreds of people and says there is deep trauma among some.

Pacific Islands •Mon, Apr 25

AI being used to develop warning signal for volcanic eruptions

Following the Whakaari tragedy, researchers believe they've found a way to prevent death from future eruptions.

Natural Disasters •Wed, Apr 20

Signs of magma 'driving unrest' at Mt Ruapehu - geologist

While an eruption remains unlikely, one expert said: "The bottom line is, I would not let my children climb up Mt Ruapehu now."

Natural Disasters •Tue, Apr 12

Among highest level of Mt Ruapehu volcanic tremors in 9 years - GNS

The crater lake temperature has risen four degrees, but GNS science says "normal processes" are occurring.

Hamilton And Waikato •Tue, Apr 5

Father and son, 9, die in landslip in NSW Blue Mountains

Two other members of the British family who were on holiday were critically injured and a 15-year-old girl was treated for shock.

Australia •Mon, Apr 4

Research finds West Otago fault line could create major quake

New seismic research on the Nevis Fault has found potential for it to produce a similarly-sized earthquake to the 2010 Christchurch quake.

Dunedin And Otago •Thu, Mar 24

'Watch this space' for signs of Ruapehu eruption - geologist

Professor Phil Shane says the raising of the volcano's alert level doesn't necessarily mean there will be an eruption.

Manawatu Wanganui •Tue, Mar 22

Mt Ruapehu alert level raised amid 'elevated volcanic unrest'

"There’s an increased likelihood of eruptive activity as strong tremor is indicating increased gas flux through the system," GeoNet volcanologist Craig Miller says.

Natural Disasters •Mon, Mar 21