When was the event?
The last major eruption of mount Taranaki was in 1755AD. This 1755AD eruption sent a pyroclastic flow (a fast moving current of hot gas and volcanic matter that moved away from the volcano up to 700km/h) down the mountain. Studies done by Massey University have worked out the history of Mount Taranaki’s eruptions over the last 130,000 years. While these eruptions have not happened at regular intervals, on average there has been a moderate-sized eruption every 340 years with multiple small ones as well.

Although Mount Taranaki’s volcanic eruptions are chaotic in their frequency, some scientists warn that a large eruption is ‘overdue’ from Taranaki. Research from Massy University indicates that significant seismic* activity is likely again in the next 50 years. Winds would most likely blow east, and cover much of the North island and disturbing air routes, power transmission lines and local water supplies.

A Mt Taranaki eruption could send fast moving pyroclastic flows packed with hot gas and ash across kilometres of surrounding countryside and ash falls could spread even further. Mt Taranaki last erupted around 1755AD with a medium sized ash eruption, although smaller volcanic events (including the making of a lava dome and its later collapse) occurred over the 1800’s. 

Today, the mountain is considered sleeping, likely to erupt again, with significant potential hazards. Some of these hazards include lahars*, pyroclastic flows, lava flows, debris avalanches, floods and ashfalls. In preparation for Mt Taranaki’s likely eruption, Taranaki Civil Defence authorities have begun training an army of 500 volunteers for when this eruption occurs, and in case of major weather events. An eruption of gas and ash is the most likely event, and there would be advance warning through increased localised areas. An eruption of Taranaki could have serious physical effects on the landscape of New Zealand, affect the region's economy and threaten ecosystems. The mountain was classed as a “moderate-very high hazard” for the Taranaki region and a hazard of national significance. Whether it erupted was a matter of when, not if, according to the Taranaki Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM). 

Glossary
Cones – a shape of volcano
Lava Dome -  roughly circular mound-shaped protrusion resulting from the slow extrusion lava from a volcano.
Dormant – a ‘sleeping’ volcano, erupts very occasionally                            Seismic - relating to earthquakes or other vibrations of the earth and its crust.
Lahars - a destructive mudflow on the slopes of a volcano.