Volcanoes

New Zealands striking landscape has been shaped by volcanic activity dating back over 500 million years. From the huge eruptions that created many of our most iconic landscape features such as Lake Taupo, Rangitoto Island and Mt Ruapehu, the presence of volcanic forces can be seen far and wide across the country. 

This short video gives a break-down of New Zealand's volcanic history, 

Living safely with volcanoes involves a number of approaches from utilizing the latest monitoring techniques, conducting research, developing thorough and well-rehearsed emergency procedures and putting systems in place to recover after an eruption are all essential...

Volcanoes may be vital to life on Earth but they can also obliterate large portions of it. On Christmas Day 1953, 151 people died in theTangiwai Disaster, caused by an earlier eruption at Mt Ruapehu.

Click here to see the rest of our AM Learn: Volcanoes playlist.