Volcanic Gas and Crustal Fluids Laboratory
The work undertaken by the Volcanic Gas and Crustal Fluids Laboratory is used to inform New Zealand communities about the hazards associated with active volcanoes.
Our state-of-the-art molecular analysis of gases and aqueous fluids being emitted from New Zealand’s active volcanic areas is a critical element in assisting eruption forecasting during periods of unrest.
Our Expertise
We routinely sample and analyse high temperature fumaroles and hydrothermal fluids on New Zealand’s volcanoes with a view to constraining conceptual and numerical models of their magmato-hydrothermal environments. Time series monitoring of these systems provides valuable insights into processes operating at depth and effective early warning of developing volcanic unrest.
Our Equipment
We analyse gases principally via gas chromatography with thermal conductivity, flame ionisation and mass spectrometric detection. We are also equipped with a quadrupole mass analyser integrated with a He-cryogenic system, which caters for ultra-trace gas phase analysis. Wet chemistry is conducted via ion chromatography, titrimetric, gravimetric and ion selective methods on gas condensates.
Our Clients
We are a GeoNet facility whose primary client is EQC. We also contribute to a range of research projects and provide commercial services in the energy and resource extraction industries.
Our Location
We are located within the National Isotope Centre (NIC) in Gracefield, Wellington.
Bruce Christenson
Volcanic Fluids Geochemist/Lead Scientist - Volcanology & Crustal Fluids Lab
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