Description

A local volcanic eruption is a substantial risk to the Auckland region. Research into the impact of multiple volcanic hazards on the roofs of buildings showed that they generally deal well with volcanic ash and flying rocks landing on them.

Auckland sits on an active volcanic field with 53 known volcanoes (Figure 1) and a 5–15% probability of an eruption occurring within a typical lifetime.

Although this probability is quite small, the human and infrastructure exposure in Auckland is huge. If an eruption were to occur, many people could be displaced and significant infrastructure such as the Auckland Harbour Bridge could be damaged or destroyed.

Scope

This article includes:

• Complex hazard risk in Auckland
• Developing an impact framework
• Experiments of ash fall and rock projectiles
• NZS 3604:2011 roof structure
• Metal roofing stood up well
• Research findings