New Zealand is located in the Southern Hemisphere approximately 3000km south-east of Australia‘s eastern coast line. It is made up of two seperate islands the North Island and the South Island. New Zealand is highly populated for such a small country with about 3 million people living there permanently. “The early Polynesian settlers called the country Aotearoa, meaning Land of the Long White Cloud. It is a name by which New Zealand is quite often known.” (About.com )

New Zealand lies right in the middle of a major tectonic plate boundary along the “Ring of Fire” there are lots of Earthquakes and as a result also lots of Volcanic Eruptions. The Pacific Plate is to the east and the Australian Plate to the west of New Zealand, these two plates are going towards each other and this is called a Destructive Plate Boundary and it is convergent.

“Changes in the direction of seismic waves around active volcanoes could help warn of an impending eruption almost a year before it happens. New Zealand researchers say they have identified a telltale signature for Mount Ruapehu, which blew its top in 1995, and the finding could apply to other volcanoes.” (Biever, Celeste) Scientists have not found any ways that could be used to predict an earthquake but they are trying very hard to figure it out.

Collect Items Long lasting food Plenty of water A radio and extra battaries Clean Cloths Precious Possessions Evacuation It is a good thing to sit down with your family and explain what to do and where to go when an earthquake or volcanic eruption happens.

When an earthquake hits you need to stop what your doing and go under a table or something solid like a table and hold on until the earthquake stops. DO NOT go near windows or heavy items that could slide into you and crush you. Listen to local authoraties and do what they instruct you to do, they have already been told about the danger and will tell you what you need to do. If a Lahar (a large mud slide triggered by a volcanic eruption) or Lava Flow is detected coming your way then leave the area immediately. If you have access to a faster way of transport then to walk you should take it, leave doors and windows closed at all times for there could be toxic fumes coming from the volcano as it erupts. Bring animals with you if possible or get them to a safe zone.