Whats To See

What’s inside the Volcanic Activity Centre?

EARTHQUAKE SIMULATOR

A true Volcanic Activity Centre favourite, the simulator knocks out a mighty earthquake of a magnitude 6.3 similar to the disastrous 2011 Christchurch quake. Take a seat, hit the button and hang on while the earth trembles and shakes.

FILM THEATRE

Enjoy spectacular film footage of New Zealand’s eruptive history. Such as the 1995/1996 Mt Ruapehu volcanic eruptions, a powerful 10 minute film of the 2010/2011 Christchurch earthquakes that severely damaged one of NZ’s largest cities and other short films explaining NZ’s unique volcanic environment and regular earthquake activity.  

SEISMOGRAPH

Live Seismograph feed of New Zealand’s latest and current earthquake activity from the multiple locations of the Geonet nationwide earthquake monitoring network including live cam links to of New Zealand’s volcanoes.

GEYSER

Classic geothermal geyser simulator that will show what is happening both above and below the ground as it builds up pressure and erupts every few minutes.

POWERFUL MICROSCOPE

View volcanic rocks from the inside to show the differences of the various rock formations that form the many volcano types of the Taupo Volcanic Zone landscape.

WALL DISPLAYS

The centre is packed with fascinating and informative displays. Discover what the centre of the earth is made up of or learn about the tectonic plates that collide to create New Zealand’s mighty and varied landscape. So much exciting stuff to learn!

FEED YOUR MIND

The Volcanic Activity Centre is a user friendly, interactive and interesting information centre designed to explain volcanic and geothermal activity, why we have earthquakes, tectonic plate movement specifically in New Zealand and will have many of your questions on this popular and intriguing subject answered.