New Zealand lies at the south-west end of a vast horseshoe-shaped zone of intense volcanism and earthquakes, the so-called “Pacific Ring of Fire”. This immense belt of volcanic and earthquake activity corresponds closely with the edge of the Pacific tectonic plate, and also coincides with some of the most densely populated regions on the planet. More than half of the world’s active volcanoes above sea level are found in this zone.
New Zealand rocks hold evidence of almost every kind of volcanism observed on Earth. Geological analysis reveals that the South Island is the site of this country’s earliest volcanic activity. The major ports of Canterbury and Otago sit in flooded volcanic craters, owing their very existence to massive eruptions millions of years ago.
More alarmingly, in geologically recent times, the North Island has been the site of some of the world's largest and most destructive eruptions. New Zealand contains the world's highest concentration of youthful rhyolitic volcanoes and extensive sheets of pyroclastic flow deposits. The 19,000 square kilometres of the Taupo Volcanic Zone stretches from the magnificent volcanoes of the Tongariro National Park through Rotorua to the constant activity of White Island and is one of the most active geothermal and volcanic areas in the world.
Uniquely straddling the collision zone of the Australian and Pacific tectonic plates, New Zealand is home to some of the world’s most visited volcanoes and some of the most explosive. And the largest city is right in the firing line.
Each Episode unpacks and explains science and geology in focus in an accessible and compelling way, using CGI to relate the past to the present and always relating it back to locations and concepts imbedded in contemporary living.
We’ll learn what causes volcanoes like St. Helens and Taranaki to collapse upon themselves in such spectacular fashion . . .and how human populations can prepare for such an explosive future. ?
Caves with evidence of ancient eruptions; new life forms discovered beneath the ocean and the New Zealand’ largest city constructed on an active volcanic field . . . the series presents earth science in a clear, distinctive and engaging format amidst some of New Zealand’s most beautiful landscapes.