New research shows cracked rocks on Whakaari (White Island) could provide clues around future eruptions.
University of Canterbury researchers found the cracked rocks act like valves, allowing gas to escape and releasing the build-up of pressure which triggers volcanic eruptions.
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The finding, which could allow more accurate monitoring and forecasting of future eruptions, is based on a study of rocks ejected from the Bay of Plenty island volcano during an eruption in April 2016, well before the volcanic explosion on December 9 last year which led to the deaths of 21 people.
A team of University of Canterbury scientists and Frontiers Abroad students (visiting UC from United States colleges), together with GNS Science and international researchers, collected the rocks from the island in 2016 and studied them, including testing to see how easily they crack and how gas travels through them.