Auckland engineers develop volcanic eruption warning system

Automated forecasting system ‘can enable public safety warnings within minutes’

An early warning system for volcanic eruptions that uses machine learning algorithms to detect changes in seismic patterns has been developed by scientists at the University of Auckland.

The research project was funded by the New Zealand government following the Whakaari/White Island volcanic eruption in December 2019. The eruption killed 21 people who were visiting the volcanic island as tourists, and a further 26 people suffered serious burns.