Seismometer lack ‘horrifies’ professor

Press, 23 November 1983, Page 30

Seismometer lack ‘horrifies’ professor

PA Auckland A scientist has expressed horror that Auckland has only one seismometer to give warning of a volcanic eruption. Professor George Walker, of the University of Hawaii, told the New Zealand Geological Society conference, “one seismometer will pick up something happening, but will not tell you where or when an eruption will occur. “If you had three , seismometers there would be a reasonable chance of finding out where the activity was coming from.”

There might be enough warning for the city to be evacuated. Professor Walker, who studied New Zealand volcanism while at Auckland University from 1978 to 1980, said he was horrified to find that the only seismometer to monitor the city was at the Auckland Museum. “If I lived there I would feel happier if the volcanoes were monitored,” he said. Dr Peter Ballance, of Auckland University’s geology department, said later that no-one was pushing for

monitoring stations, “because there has been no apparent indication in the last 100 years of any activity.” An Auckland University volcanologist, Dr lan Smith, supported Professor Walker’s call for three seismometers to monitor Auckland and said the university would be able to run them. However, they would cost $30,000. “That is the cost of a Mercedes. It is infinitesimal compared with the potential for saving lives.”