The risk of volcanic eruption in mainland Australia

Abstract

The young volcanoes of the Australian mainland are made up of the Newer Volcanic Province of Victoria and southeast South Australia (NVP), and a number of separate provinces in far north Queensland. These volcanic fields are similar in age, and in their numerous scattered scoria and lava cones, extensive basalt flows, and maar/tuff ring eruptions of phreatic origin. Australian volcanologists and seismologists now agree that youthful ages imply the possibility of further activity. A risk and hazard map for the NVP (Joyce 2005) demonstrates that volcanic activity must be considered a serious environmental hazard and risk for the Australian mainland.