Taupo Supervolcano Update; Ongoing Earthquake Swarm, Seismic Unrest

In New Zealand, the supervolcano known as Lake Taupo to the south of the city of Taupo is showing minor signs of unrest as it is producing a series of earthquake swarms. Although these swarms are not as energetic as previous episodes of unrest, they are related to the movement of magma at depth. This video will discuss the implications of this earthquake swarm, and how common periods of seismic unrest are at this supervolcano.

Google Earth imagery used in this video: ©Google

Thumbnail Photo Credit: Google Earth, 2022 CNES/Airbus, Maxar Technologies

0:00 Taupo Seismic Unrest
0:48 Cluster of Earthquakes
1:34 Geologic Setting
1:56 Volcanic History
3:24 Cause of Earthquakes
3:50 Normal Background Activity

Citations:

[GeologyHub]

Luckily, there is NOTHING to worry about with this ongoing earthquake swarm at Taupo. Not only is there no detectable uplift, but the rate of earthquakes although higher than normal is still quite low.

[tihspidtherekciltilc]

My father is from New Zealand and took us on a month long tour of trains, planes and automobiles and my God, what a beautiful country with the nicest people I've ever met. Australia was similar in both respects and I had to insist on paying for cab rides. Tangent rambling over.
Edit: My father worked for the Smithsonian for 50 years so I appreciate you using their data as opposed to Wikipedia. Again, thanks for sharing.

[geoffreyhall]

As a kid some 60 odd years ago our family used to holiday at Hatepe on Lake Taupo. We used to walk around to the white cliffs for trout fishing. The Horomatangi Reef was well below the waterline and was never a danger to small boats. I was last there in 2014 and saw that the top of the reef now sits above the water and is well marked to keep boats away. It is definately rising slowly.

[YanickaQuilt]

It's amazing that there is enough material for you to make 5 videos a week 😳 not that I didn't know the volcanic science wasn't vast I just didn't understood how active the planet is!

[bigrooster]

You truly only need to really worry if you start seeing the lake getting a lot shallower or if it starts draining out in a certain area.

[StephenElsworth]

My in-laws live in Taupo and I live roughly 100 kms away in Napier. Its nice having all this in our back yard so to speak. 😊

[keepmoving]

The hot springs are fantastic there!! Great vacation spot!

[maybarnard]

Thank you for the information about Taupo Volcano. The area is very active and has two geothermal electric generation power stations making use of the power of steam.
As there are many other active volcanos in that area it would be great if you covered the rest of the Rotorua area. Mt Tarawera last erupted in1886 and there are quite a few others that make an interesting, very active landscape, especially around Rotorua city.

[lauramildon-clews]

Hi, my name is Laurajane and I live in Taupo. We live here because we love the place, people and lifestyle. Sure we have a few shakes but we never really take notice of them. It is such a lovely place to live. My parents come from here so this is home for me

[googlymannz]

I’m a kiwi so it’s great to hear more about our largest volcano in the north island. I had heard about the new earthquakes under the lake this week so good to have some more info about them. Thanks!

[marshalljane]

i’d love to see more on the volcanics in the taupo volcanic field eg ngarurahoe and tongariro love the content dude

[Sunny_Now_and_Then]

I was just reading a BBC article about LLSVPs within the mantle and I would love to hear what you think about these. The article was sent to my email so I can't link it, but I imagine it can be found on the BBC website. They had some very interesting theories about the bodies - 'Jason' under the pacific and 'Tuzo' under Africa - even referring to one by scientists from AZ University that I rather liked. Deep earth is not something we ever hear much about and I would love to know current thought (the article was based on a 2016 paper). They must affect our volcanic systems in some way.

[garywaters]

Thank you for your update.
Gary, New Jersey.

[migram]

You're the best geology channel on YouTube hands down! Also the illustration on how these quakes form is very easily understood and portrayed. Keep up the good work! 👍

[amandafayemosley]

Pls I need to hear about the Cascadia subduction zone. Thankyou very much

[pauljackways]

correct pronunciation is 'toe-paw'. 'Tarawera' uses soft 'ah' sounds. R sounds in Te Reo are trilled/rolled if you can do it. What you sound like you are saying for Taupo is 'Tapu', which means 'sacred'

[gamedoutgamer]

Hi GH! Thank you for this update!

Please consider discussing the Adirondack Mtns and how they are considered a 'failed hotspot' and their formation is unrelated to the Appalachians.

[david_reynolds]

I would love for you to talk about other forms or aspects of geology!!! Way to centered on just volcanoes! Let’s say some conversation or some studies on gems and different types of rocks. Where they’re located, how they can be found, and what to look for!

[b.a.erlebacher]

How do they determine the composition of the magma in a magma chamber? Seismology?

[wooaa]

Talk about laguna del maule complex, is having some nice earthquake swarms and uplift! 👌😬