Scientists have raised the threat level of an active super-volcano that holds the record for the biggest eruption on Earth in the last 5,000 years.
Taupō, in New Zealand, has not erupted for almost 1,800 years but scientists recently detected a change in its activity, the Daily Star reports.
The colossal volcano's alert level has been heightened from 0 to 1 in out of six, for the first time since the measuring scale system was established in 1994. The alert was raised by Geological agency GeoNet, after scientists discovered that a sequence of 700 mini earthquakes had occurred, although they were so insignificant, the majority were not felt on land.
However, experts believe that the probability of Taupō erupting ''remains very low'' due to the largest of the surprise mini earthquakes on September, 10 reaching a magnitude level of 4.5 out of 9 on the Richter scale. The volcano's magmatic system is believed to be located at Horomatangi Reef in Lake Taupō where most of the earthquakes and ground deformation has been recorded.
GeoNet said in a statement: “We interpret the ground uplift and earthquake activity to be caused by the movement of magma and the hydrothermal fluids inside the volcano. We have also sampled springs and gas vents around the lake for changes in chemistry that may be related to the earthquake and ground uplift.”
Since 1870, 17 episodes of unrest have been recorded at Taupō since 1870 but none more threatening than level 2 of the alert system, had it existed at the time. GeoNet added on Tuesday: “The Volcanic Alert Level reflects the current level of volcanic unrest or activity and is not a forecast of future activity.
“Volcanic unrest at volcanoes like Taupō could continue for months or years and not result in an eruption.” When it exploded nearly 1,800 years ago, Taupō covered lakeside areas in rock and pyroclastic flows dozens of feet deep and blanketing much of the North Island in at least 1cm of ash.
Wind the clocks back even further to about 25,500 years ago, and the super-volcano erupted to created the large basin that formed today's lake. Between those historic dates, at least 27 other smaller eruptions are known to have happened.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
