Global Volcanism Program

The Global Volcanism Program has no activity reports for Taupo.

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Taupo.

The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Taupo.

This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.

Cones

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Horomatangi Reef

Vent

38° 51' 0" S

175° 56' 0" E

Domes

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Ben Lomond

Dome

Kuharua

Dome

1129 m

38° 56' 0" S

175° 42' 0" E

Manganamu

Dome

492 m

38° 59' 0" S

175° 47' 0" E

Marotiri

Dome

733 m

38° 37' 0" S

175° 55' 0" E

Maunganamu

Dome

630 m

38° 44' 0" S

176° 8' 0" E

Motuapu

Dome

496 m

38° 56' 0" S

175° 52' 0" E

Motukaiko

Dome

442 m

38° 52' 0" S

175° 57' 0" E

Motuma

Dome

647 m

38° 38' 0" S

175° 51' 0" E

Ouaha

Dome

630 m

38° 51' 0" S

176° 2' 0" E

Pukekaikiore

Dome

748 m

38° 54' 0" S

175° 44' 0" E

Rangitukua

Dome

726 m

38° 52' 0" S

175° 46' 0" E

Tahunatara

Dome

651 m

38° 43' 0" S

175° 58' 0" E

Tauhara

Dome

1087 m

38° 42' 0" S

176° 10' 0" E

Tuhingamata

Dome

661 m

38° 43' 0" S

176° 0' 0" E

Thermal

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Hipaua

Thermal

38° 58' 0" S

175° 44' 0" E

Tauhara-Taupo

Thermal

460 m

38° 41' 31" S

176° 6' 0" E

Te Hoata

Thermal

Te Pupu

Thermal

Tokaanu

Thermal

Waihi-Tokaanu

Thermal

915 m

38° 58' 0" S

175° 46' 0" E

Basic Data

Volcano Number

Last Known Eruption

Elevation

Latitude
Longitude

241070

260 CE

760 m / 2493 ft

38.82°S
176°E

Volcano Types

Caldera
Lava dome(s)
Fissure vent(s)

Rock Types

Major
Rhyolite

Minor
Dacite
Basalt / Picro-Basalt

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone
Continental crust (> 25 km)

Population

Within 5 km
Within 10 km
Within 30 km
Within 100 km

21,456
21,456
26,674
161,966

Geological Summary

Taupo, the most active rhyolitic volcano of the Taupo volcanic zone, is a large, roughly 35-km-wide caldera with poorly defined margins. It is a type example of an "inverse volcano" that slopes inward towards the most recent vent location. The caldera, now filled by Lake Taupo, largely formed as a result of the voluminous eruption of the Oruanui Tephra about 22,600 years before present (BP). This was the largest known eruption at Taupo, producing about 1,170 km³ of tephra. This eruption was preceded during the late Pleistocene by the eruption of a large number of rhyolitic lava domes north of Lake Taupo. Large explosive eruptions have occurred frequently during the Holocene from many vents within Lake Taupo and near its margins. The most recent major eruption took place about 1800 years BP from at least three vents along a NE-SW-trending fissure centered on the Horomotangi Reefs. This extremely violent eruption was New Zealand's largest during the Holocene and produced the thin but widespread phreatoplinian Taupo Ignimbrite, which covered 20,000 km² of North Island.

References

The following references have all been used during the compilation of data for this volcano, it is not a comprehensive bibliography.

Cole J W, Brown S J A, Burt R M, Beresford S W, Wilson C J N, 1998. Lithic types in ignimbrites as a guide to the evolution of a caldera complex, Taupo volcanic centre, New Zealand. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 80: 217-237. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0377-0273(97)00045-0

de Ronde C E J, Stoffers P, Garbe-Schonberg D, Christenson B W, Jones B, Manconi R, Browne P R L, Hissmann K, Botz R, Davy B W, Schmitt M, Battershill C N, 2002. Discovery of active hydrothermal venting in Lake Taupo, New Zealand. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 115: 257-275.

Froggatt P C, Lowe D J, 1990. A review of late Quaternary silicic and some other tephra formations from New Zealand: their stratigraphy, nomenclature, distribution, volume, and age. New Zeal J Geol Geophys, 33: 89-109.

Houghton B F, Carey R C, Cashman K V, Wilson C J N, Hobden B J, Hammer J E, 2010. Diverse patterns of ascent, degassing, and eruption of rhyolite magma during the 1.8 ka Taupo eruption, New Zealand: Evidence from clast vesicularity. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 195: 31-47.

Houghton B F, Wilson C J N, 1986. Explosive rhyolite volcanism: the case studies of Mayor Island and Taupo volcanoes (Tour Guide A1). New Zeal Geol Surv Rec, 12: 33-100.

Kissling W M, Weir G J, 2005. The spatial distribution of the geothermal fields in the Taupo volcanic zone, New Zealand. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 145: 136-150.

Lowe D J, Shane P A R, Allowayc B V, Newnham R M, 2008. Fingerprints and age models for widespread New Zealand tephra marker beds erupted since 30,000 years ago: a framework for NZ-INTIMATE. Quat Sci Rev.

McClelland E, Wilson C J N, Bardot L, 2004. Paleotemperature determinations for the 1.8-ka Taupo ignimbrite, New Zealand, and implications for the emplacement history of a high-velocity pyroclastic flow. Bull Volcanol, 66: 492-513.

Nairn I A, Cole J W, 1975. New Zealand. Catalog of Active Volcanoes of the World and Solfatara Fields, Rome: IAVCEI, 22: 1-156.

Shane P, Hoverd J, 2002. Distal record of multi-sourced tephra in Onepoto Basin, Auckland, New Zealand: implications for volcanic chronology, frequency and hazards. Bull Volcanol, 64: 441-454.

Smith R T, Houghton B F, 1995. Vent migration and changing eruptive style during the 1800a Taupo eruption: new evidence from the Hatepe and Rotongaio phreatoplinian ashes. Bull Volcanol, 57: 432-439.

Smith V C, Shane P, Nairn I A, 2005. Trends in rhyolite geochemistry, mineralogy, and magma storage during the last 50 kyr at Okataina and Taupo volcanic centres, Taupo volcanic zone, New Zealand. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 148: 372-406. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2005.05.005

Spinks K D, Acocella V, Cole J W, Bassett K N, 2005. Structural control of volcanism and caldera development in the transtensional Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 144: 7-22.

Spinks K D, Cole J W, Leonard G S, 2004. Caldera volcanism in the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Geol Soc New Zeal, New Zeal Geophys Soc, 26th New Zeal Geotherm Workshop, 6th-9th Dec 2004, Great Lake Centre, Taupo, Field Trip Guides, 7: 110-135.

Stevenson R J, Dingwell D B, Bagdassarov N S, Manley C R, 2001. Measurement and implication of "effective" viscosity for rhyolite flow emplacement. Bull Volcanol, 63: 227-237.

Sutton A N, Blake S , Wilson C J N, 1995. An outline geochemistry of rhyolite eruptives from Taupo volcanic centre, New Zealand. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 68: 153-175.

Talbot J P, Self S, Wilson C J N, 1994. Dilute gravity current and rain-flushed ash deposits in the 1.8 km Hatepe Plinian deposit, Taupo, New Zealand. Bull Volcanol, 56: 538-551.

Vucetich C G, Pullar W A, 1973. Holocene tephra formations erupted in the Taupo Area, and interbedded tephras from other volcanic sources. New Zeal J Geol Geophys, 16: 745-780.

Wilson C J N, 1993. Stratigraphy, chronology, styles and dynamics of late Quaternary eruptions from Taupo volcano, New Zealand. Phil Trans Roy Soc London, Ser A, 343: 205-306.

Wilson C J N, 2001. The 26.5 ka Oruanui erupption, New Zealand: an introduction and overview. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 112: 133-174.

Wilson C J N, Blake S, Charlier B L A, Sutton A N, 2006. The 26.5 ka Oruanui eruption, Taupo volcano, New Zealand: development, characteristics and evacuation of a large rhyolitic magma body. J Petr, 47: 35-69.

Wilson C J N, Gravley D M, Leonard G S, Rowland J V, 2009. Volcanism in the central Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand: tempo, styles and controls. In: Thordarson T, Self S, Larsen G, Rowland S K, Hoskuldsson A (eds), Studies in Volcanology: The Legacy of George Walker. Geol Soc London, p 225-247.

Wilson C J N, Houghton B F, Lloyd E F, 1986. Volcanic history and evolution of Maroa-Taupo area, central North Island. Roy Soc New Zeal Bull, 23: 194-223.

Wilson C J N, Houghton B F, McWilliams M O, Lanphere M A, Weaver S D, Briggs R M, 1995. Volcanic and structural evolution of Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand: a review. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 68: 1-28.

Wilson C J N, Rogan A M, Smith I E M, Northey D J, Nairn I A, Houghton B F, 1984. Caldera volcanoes of the Taupo volcanic zone, New Zealand. J. Geophys. Res, 89: 8463-8484.

Wilson C J N, Walker G P L, 1985. The Taupo eruption, New Zealand. I. General aspects. Phil Trans Roy Soc London, Ser A, 314: 199-228.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 25 Holocene eruptive periods.

Start Date	Stop Date	Eruption Certainty	VEI	Evidence	Activity Area or Unit
0260 (?)	Unknown	Confirmed	0	Tephrochronology	East Lake Taupo (Horomatangi Reefs)
0233 Mar 15 ± 13 years ± 20 days	Unknown	Confirmed	6	Radiocarbon (corrected)	Horomatangi Reefs area, Unit Y
0200 BCE (?)	Unknown	Confirmed	4	Radiocarbon (corrected)	4 km NW of Te Kohaiakahu Point, Unit X
0800 BCE (?)	Unknown	Confirmed	2	Tephrochronology	Ouaha Hills, Unit W
1010 BCE ± 200 years	Unknown	Confirmed	4	Radiocarbon (corrected)	4 km NW of Te Kohaiakahu Point, Unit V
1050 BCE (?)	Unknown	Confirmed	4	Radiocarbon (corrected)	5 km NE of Motutaiko Island, Unit U
1250 BCE (?)	Unknown	Confirmed	3	Radiocarbon (corrected)	4 km W of Te Kohaiakahu Point, Unit T
1460 BCE ± 40 years	Unknown	Confirmed	6	Radiocarbon (corrected)	Horomatangi Reefs?, Unit S
2500 BCE (?)	Unknown	Confirmed	3	Radiocarbon (corrected)	3 km SW of Motutaiko Island, Unit R
2600 BCE (?)	Unknown	Confirmed	4	Radiocarbon (corrected)	3 km NW of Te Kohaiakahu Point, Unit Q
2800 BCE (?)	Unknown	Confirmed	3	Tephrochronology	Unit P
2850 BCE (?)	Unknown	Confirmed	3	Radiocarbon (corrected)	2 km S of Te Tuhi Point, Unit O
2900 BCE (?)	Unknown	Confirmed	4	Radiocarbon (corrected)	5 km NW of Te Kohaiakahu Point, Unit N
3070 BCE (?)	Unknown	Confirmed	4	Radiocarbon (corrected)	5 km NW of Te Kohaiakahu Point, Unit M
3120 BCE (?)	Unknown	Confirmed	3	Tephrochronology	2 km W of Te Kohaiakahu Point, Unit L
3170 BCE ± 200 years	Unknown	Confirmed	4	Radiocarbon (corrected)	4 km NW of Te Kohaiakahu Point, Unit K
3420 BCE (?)	Unknown	Confirmed	3	Radiocarbon (corrected)	Unit J
4000 BCE (?)	Unknown	Confirmed	3	Radiocarbon (corrected)	Unit I
4100 BCE (?)	Unknown	Confirmed	4	Radiocarbon (corrected)	4 km WNW of Kohaiakahu Point, Unit H
4700 BCE (?)	Unknown	Confirmed	4	Radiocarbon (corrected)	East-central Lake Taupo, Unit G
5100 BCE (?)	Unknown	Confirmed	3	Radiocarbon (corrected)	SE Lake Taupo (Motutaiko Island) (Unit F)
8130 BCE ± 200 years	Unknown	Confirmed	5	Radiocarbon (corrected)	Central, E-central L. Taupo (Opepe), Unit E
9210 BCE (?)	Unknown	Confirmed	4	Tephrochronology	Acacia Bay lava dome, Unit D
9240 BCE ± 75 years	Unknown	Confirmed	5	Radiocarbon (corrected)	4 km W of Te Kohaiakahu Point, Unit C (Poronui)
9460 BCE ± 200 years	Unknown	Confirmed	5	Radiocarbon (corrected)	East-central Lake Taupo (Karapiti), Unit B

Deformation History

There is data available for 6 deformation periods. Expand each entry for additional details.

Deformation during 1999 - 2010 [Subsidence; Observed by InSAR]

Start Date: 1999

Stop Date: 2010

Direction: Subsidence

Method: InSAR

Magnitude: Unknown

Spatial Extent: Unknown

Latitude: Unknown

Longitude: Unknown

Remarks: Long-term subsidence is associated with the Ohaaki geothermal field.

Time series of line-of-sight displacement at Ohaaki geothermal field from ALOS PALSAR ascending path 325 starting from 20070113 (date in YYYYMMDD format). Coordinates of TL and BR corners are (?38.48N, 176.25E) and (?38.58N, 176.40E). Red star shows region of fastest subsidence.

From: Samsonov et al. 2011.

Reference List: Hole et al. 2007; Samsonov et al. 2011.

Full References:

Hole, J. K., C. J. Bromley, N. F. Stevens, and G. Wadge, 2007. Subsidence in the geothermal fields of the Taupo volcanic zone, New Zealand from 1996 to 2005 measured by InSAR. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 166: 125-146. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2007.07.013

Samsonov S, Beavan J, Gonzalez P J, Tiampo K, Fernandez J, 2011. Ground deformation in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand, observed by ALOS PALSAR interferometry. Geophysical Journal International, 187(1), 147-160.

Deformation during 1996 - 2010 [Subsidence; Observed by InSAR]

Start Date: 1996

Stop Date: 2010

Direction: Subsidence

Method: InSAR

Magnitude: Unknown

Spatial Extent: Unknown

Latitude: Unknown

Longitude: Unknown

Remarks: Long-term subsidence is associated with the Wairakei-Tauhara geothermal field.

Time series of line-of-sight displacement at Tauhara-Wairakei geothermal system from ALOS PALSAR ascending path 325 starting from 20070113 (date in YYYYMMDD format). Coordinates of TL and BR corners are (?38.58N, 176.00E) and (?38.72N, 176.17E). Red star shows region of fastest subsidence.

From: Samsonov et al. 2011.

Reference List: Hole et al. 2007; Samsonov et al. 2011.

Full References:

Hole, J. K., C. J. Bromley, N. F. Stevens, and G. Wadge, 2007. Subsidence in the geothermal fields of the Taupo volcanic zone, New Zealand from 1996 to 2005 measured by InSAR. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res., 166: 125-146. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2007.07.013

Samsonov S, Beavan J, Gonzalez P J, Tiampo K, Fernandez J, 2011. Ground deformation in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand, observed by ALOS PALSAR interferometry. Geophysical Journal International, 187(1), 147-160.

Deformation during 1996 - 1999 [Uplift; Observed by Leveling]

Start Date: 1996

Stop Date: 1999

Direction: Uplift

Method: Leveling

Magnitude: Unknown

Spatial Extent: Unknown

Latitude: Unknown

Longitude: Unknown

Reference List: Otway et al. 2002.

Full References:

Otway, P. M., Blick, G. H., & Scott, B. J., 2002. Vertical deformation at Lake Taupo, New Zealand, from lake levelling surveys, 1979-99. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 45(1), 121-132.

Deformation during 1984 - 1996 [Subsidence; Observed by Leveling]

Start Date: 1984

Stop Date: 1996

Direction: Subsidence

Method: Leveling

Magnitude: Unknown

Spatial Extent: Unknown

Latitude: Unknown

Longitude: Unknown

Reference List: Otway et al. 2002.

Full References:

Otway, P. M., Blick, G. H., & Scott, B. J., 2002. Vertical deformation at Lake Taupo, New Zealand, from lake levelling surveys, 1979-99. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 45(1), 121-132.

Deformation during 1983 - 1984 [Uplift; Observed by Leveling]

Start Date: 1983

Stop Date: 1984

Direction: Uplift

Method: Leveling

Magnitude: Unknown

Spatial Extent: Unknown

Latitude: Unknown

Longitude: Unknown

Remarks: Deformation at Lake Taupo is observed from 1983 to 1984 and is related to an earthquake swarm that began on 17 June 1983.

Reference List: Otway et al. 2002.

Full References:

Otway, P. M., Blick, G. H., & Scott, B. J., 2002. Vertical deformation at Lake Taupo, New Zealand, from lake levelling surveys, 1979-99. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 45(1), 121-132.

Deformation during 1979 - 1982 [Variable (uplift / subsidence); Observed by Leveling]

Start Date: 1979

Stop Date: 1982

Direction: Variable (uplift / subsidence)

Method: Leveling

Magnitude: Unknown

Spatial Extent: Unknown

Latitude: Unknown

Longitude: Unknown

Reference List: Otway et al. 2002.

Full References:

Otway, P. M., Blick, G. H., & Scott, B. J., 2002. Vertical deformation at Lake Taupo, New Zealand, from lake levelling surveys, 1979-99. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 45(1), 121-132.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Taupo.

Photo Gallery

An aerial view shows the east margin of Lake Taupo with Taupo City on its shores. The 35-km-wide caldera is not topographically prominent but has been the source of powerful rhyolitic eruptions from the late Pleistocene throughout the Holocene. The 35,000-year-old Tauhara lava dome forms the prominent peak in the background.

Photo by Jim Healy (New Zealand Geological Survey).

Volcanologists Colin Wilson and Peter Bellance examine a roadcut that dissects deposits of major eruptions from the Taupo volcanic center. The unit at the level of the feet of the volcanologists is an exposure of an unwelded pyroclastic-flow deposit from the Oruanui eruption, which formed Taupo's initial caldera about 22,600 years ago. Light-colored airfall-pumice deposits from other major eruptions occur between it and the deposits of the 1800-year-old Taupo eruption (upper right), which were responsible for Taupo's second caldera.

Photo by Bruce Houghton (Wairakei Research Center).

This telephoto view looking SW across Lake Taupo, the southernmost major caldera of the Taupo volcanic zone, shows several major peaks anchoring the southern end of the Taupo volcanic zone. The broad forested peak below the center horizon is the Pleistocene Pihanga volcano. The steep-sided cone on the horizon to its right is Nguaruhoe, the youngest volcano of the Tongarior complex. The broad massif to its right is Tongariro. The snow-capped massif on the left-center horizon is Ruapehu.

Photo by Tom Simkin, 1986 (Smithsonian Institution).

Lake Taupo fills a topographically indistinct, roughly 35-km-wide caldera that is the site of the most prolific rhyolitic volcano of the Taupo volcanic zone. The caldera was formed during two major explosive eruptions, the Oruanui eruption, roughly 22,600 years ago, and the Taupo eruption, about 1800 years ago. The latter was one of the world's largest Holocene eruptions. Additional plinian eruptions during the Holocene have produced widespread airfall-pumice deposits.

Photo by Richard Waitt, 1986 (U.S. Geological Survey).

This thick outcrop exposes deposits of the 1800-years-old Taupo eruption, one of the world's largest during the past 10,000 years. The Taupo eruption produced nearly 100 cu km of phreatomagmatic surge deposits, plinian airfall-tephra deposits, and the overlying Taupo ignimbrite, seen at the upper half of this photo above the thin, light-colored layers. The eruption occurred from a vent at Horomatangi Reefs, now submerged beneath Lake Taupo.

Photo by Richard Waitt, 1986 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

The following 28 samples associated with this volcano can be found in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences collections, and may be availble for research (contact the Rock and Ore Collections Manager). Catalog number links will open a window with more information.

Catalog Number	Sample Description	Lava Source	Collection Date
NMNH 116210-10	Pumice	--	--
NMNH 116210-11	Pumice	--	--
NMNH 116210-12	Ignimbrite	--	--
NMNH 116210-23	Ignimbrite	--	--
NMNH 116210-24	Ignimbrite	--	--
NMNH 116210-25	Ignimbrite	--	--
NMNH 116210-28	Welded Ignimbrite	--	--
NMNH 116210-29	Welded Ignimbrite	--	--
NMNH 116210-30	Ignimbrite	--	--
NMNH 116210-32	Ignimbrite	--	--
NMNH 116210-33	Ignimbrite	--	--
NMNH 116210-34	Basalt	--	--
NMNH 116210-35	Rhyolite	--	--
NMNH 116210-37	Ignimbrite	LAKE TAUPO	--
NMNH 116210-38	Ignimbrite	LAKE TAUPO	--
NMNH 116210-4	Ignimbrite	--	--
NMNH 116210-5	Ignimbrite	--	--
NMNH 116210-6	Airfall Pumice	--	--
NMNH 116210-7	Pumice	--	--
NMNH 116210-8	Ignimbrite	--	--
NMNH 116210-9	Volcanic Ash	--	--
NMNH 116566-12	Volcanic Rock	TAUHARA	--
NMNH 116691-5	Pyroclastic Rock	--	1 Feb 1986
NMNH 116691-9	Pyroclastic Rock	--	--
NMNH 117454-55	Pumice	--	--
NMNH 117454-56	Obsidian	--	--
NMNH 117454-57	Obsidian	Taupo breccia	--
NMNH 117551-15	Obsidian	Tauhara 'dacite' flow; Tauhara	--

Affiliated Sites

DECADE Data

The DECADE portal, still in the developmental stage, serves as an example of the proposed interoperability between The Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program, the MAGA Database, and the EarthChem Geochemical Portal. The Deep Earth Carbon Degassing (DECADE) initiative seeks to use new and established technologies to determine accurate global fluxes of volcanic CO₂ to the atmosphere, but installing CO₂ monitoring networks on 20 of the world's 150 most actively degassing volcanoes. The group uses related laboratory-based studies (direct gas sampling and analysis, melt inclusions) to provide new data for direct degassing of deep earth carbon to the atmosphere.

WOVOdat
   Single Volcano View
   Temporal Evolution of Unrest
   Side by Side Volcanoes

WOVOdat is a database of volcanic unrest; instrumentally and visually recorded changes in seismicity, ground deformation, gas emission, and other parameters from their normal baselines. It is sponsored by the World Organization of Volcano Observatories (WOVO) and presently hosted at the Earth Observatory of Singapore.

Large Eruptions of Taupo

Information about large Quaternary eruptions (VEI >= 4) is cataloged in the Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions (LaMEVE) database of the Volcano Global Risk Identification and Analysis Project (VOGRIPA).

MIROVA

Middle InfraRed Observation of Volcanic Activity (MIROVA) is a near real time volcanic hot-spot detection system based on the analysis of MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data. In particular, MIROVA uses the Middle InfraRed Radiation (MIR), measured over target volcanoes, in order to detect, locate and measure the heat radiation sourced from volcanic activity.

MODVOLC Thermal Alerts

Using infrared satellite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, scientists at the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i, developed an automated system called MODVOLC to map thermal hot-spots in near real time. For each MODIS image, the algorithm automatically scans each 1 km pixel within it to check for high-temperature hot-spots. When one is found the date, time, location, and intensity are recorded. MODIS looks at every square km of the Earth every 48 hours, once during the day and once during the night, and the presence of two MODIS sensors in space allows at least four hot-spot observations every two days. Each day updated global maps are compiled to display the locations of all hot spots detected in the previous 24 hours. There is a drop-down list with volcano names which allow users to 'zoom-in' and examine the distribution of hot-spots at a variety of spatial scales.

EarthChem

EarthChem develops and maintains databases, software, and services that support the preservation, discovery, access and analysis of geochemical data, and facilitate their integration with the broad array of other available earth science parameters. EarthChem is operated by a joint team of disciplinary scientists, data scientists, data managers and information technology developers who are part of the NSF-funded data facility Integrated Earth Data Applications (IEDA). IEDA is a collaborative effort of EarthChem and the Marine Geoscience Data System (MGDS).