There are eight caldera volcanoes in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which extends from coastal Bay of Plenty to Lake Taupo, and are widely recognised as some of the best examples of this type of volcano in the world.
Workshop co-conveners Professor Jim Cole from Canterbury University and Nico Fournier of GNS Science are especially proud to be leading this event.
"This is the first time since 1986 that we have hosted an international volcanological meeting with a focus on caldera volcanoes," Professor Cole said.
"The 1986 meeting was based on the centenary of the 1886 Tarawera Rift eruption, our most recent eruption from a caldera in New Zealand."
Workshop sessions will include the physical setting of calderas, their eruption histories, and the processes occurring in magma systems that feed them.
Another focus will be the natural resources related to calderas such as geothermal systems and the formation of minerals.
The workshop will provide the opportunity for local scientists, emergency managers and local government representatives to discuss the issues and listen to international scientists present their latest research findings.
Included in the week-long conference are two one-day field trips, where participants will get to see aspects of Taupo, Rotorua, Reporoa and Okataina calderas.
There will also be a public talk at The Great Lake Centre in Taupo at 7pm on December 10 so the public can learn more about the sleeping volcanoes in their backyard.