30 March, 2007

Newsletter

Volcano Programme

The Impact on Humans

This year the volcano programme will explore the impact volcanoes have on human lives. Three lectures will cover a combination of Mt Tarawera, White Island, Mt Vesuvius (Pompeii) and Raoul Island. Two field trips will take you to Rangitoto and a Lava Cave under Three Kings and don't miss the unique opportunity to hear about the recent Mt Ruapehu Lahar.

Volcanoes Lecture Series

Admission: $10 per person, Museum Members $5.

In association with GNS Science, the Earthquake Commission, Auckland Museum Institute and University of Auckland.

Entry to the Museum for the lectures via the doors at the Dome entry. All Lectures take place in the Auditorium. The Volcanoes Exhibition is open from 6.30pm prior to the lectures on 5 & 11 April.

Bookings are strongly recommended phone 09 306 7048.

Eruption of Tarawera

Prof Ron Keam University of Auckland

Tuesday 3 April

7.30pm

This presentation about the Tarawera eruption and its devastating impact on the local Maori of the region includes a short talk by Kipa Rangiheuea on some of the plans for new tourism developments in the area.

Ruapehu Lahar - 2007

Dr Vernon Manville – GNS Science, Wairakei

Thursday 5 April

7.30pm

The recent lahar on Ruapehu is perhaps one of the most anticipated and best studied of volcanic events in the world. The amount of data collected and the planning that went in to trying to ensure that people and property were safeguarded was extensive. Dr Manville has a had a long time to study this mountain since first arriving in the area during the ash eruptions of 1995. This talk will give us a unique opportunity to learn from one of those intrepid scientists who study one of nature’s most dangerous situations at very close range.

White Island and Raoul Island

Volcanologist: Brad Scott.

Wednesday 11 April

7.30pm

Brad Scott is a volcanologist with 33 years experience in monitoring and assessing active volcanoes, geothermal systems and earthquake activity. He started work with the NZ Geological Survey DSIR in Rotorua, then worked for DSIR Geology and Geophysics, and has been with the Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences (GNS) since1991. He has been involved in a wide range of geological and geophysical investigations related to active volcanoes, geothermal systems and earthquakes, mostly involving monitoring, hazard assessment and rapid event response. Since 1992 he has taken the lead role in coordination of volcano surveillance in New Zealand. The focus of this talk are two well known NZ island volcanoes both of which have a fascinating history.

Pompeii

Frances Billot

Wednesday 18 April

7.30pm

Frances Billot has tutored for a variety of courses in the Department of Classics & Ancient History, and taught courses for CCE over a number of years. She is currently enrolled for a PhD in the Department of Classics & Ancient History.

The story of Pompeii has fascinated people ever since its catastrophic eruption. Orators from across the water were driven to dramatic poetic descriptions and legendary heroic rescues, and the devastation to the city impacted on the civilization of the time.

Centuries later modern archaeologists unearthed history frozen in time and have been able to lay open a great civilization and brought the legendary story to life. Join Frances Billot to find out more about this topic and to have a visual virtual tour though the ruins.

The Volcanoes exhibition is open from 6.30pm on 3 & 5 April – entry via front doors

Cave Field Trip

Saturday 14 April and Sunday 15 April

10am, 11.30am, 1pm, 2.30pm

Join our guides on this fascinating adventure as they guide you though one of the Three Kings lava cave. Venue details available at time of booking.

Price: $5 per adult, $10 per family, all children must be aged 7 years and older, an average level of fitness is required. Over 100 people enjoyed this field trip last year. Bookings are essential 09 306 7048.

Rangitoto field trip

Saturday 28 April

9am – 4pm (Fullers ferry departs from Pier 2 at Viaduct in the city at 9.15am and returns at 12.45pm or 3.30pm)

A popular day trip with a guided walk on Rangitoto – the youngest of 48 volcanoes in the region having been formed just 600 years ago. Choose to either walk (about an hour) or be driven to the summit.

Prices

Walking - Adults $18.40, Children $10.40, Family $51.60 (2 adults and 2 children).

4-Wheel drive access to island summit - Adults $47.40, Children $25.40

Prices include return journey on Fullers ferry. Bookings are essential, places only confirmed with payment.

Guided tours of Pukekawa

Sundays; 1, 8, 22, 29 April

2pm (no tour on 15th April)

Meet in the front foyer

Auckland Museum is built in the Auckland Domain on the rim of a volcano (Pukekawa) that erupted 100 000 to 150 000 years ago, making it one of Auckland’s oldest volcanoes. The volcano consists of a wide explosion crater containing a small central scoria cone. The crater floor was initially a lake. Over thousands of years, it filled with alluvium and plant remains to become a swamp. Join the guided tours to learn more about Pukekawa or for a self-guided walk of the Domain volcano simply download the notes from the link below:

Civil Defence Emergency Managment

Thursdays 29 March, 26 April, 31 May

3.30pm and 7pm, APEC Room

FREE

Like most regions in volcanic New Zealand, Auckland is vulnerable to several possible disaster scenarios including eruptions. This workshop is an opportunity to hear how Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) works. We want to ensure that we are as prepared as possible and also remind ourselves that we have an individual responsibility to be prepared as well. Includes an optional tour of the Volcanoes exhibition. Bookings Essential, Phone 09 306 7048.

Museum Institute Lecture Series

Newton's 'Principia'

Auckland Museum Institute and NZ Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (NZIMA)

Wednesday April 4th

7:30pm

Auditorium $10 Full price and $5 Members and NZIMA members

Bookings essential, phone 306 7048.

Charles R. Leedham-Green, Professor of Pure Mathematics at Queen Mary, University of London

Prof. Leedham-Green researches the theory of groups, and he is currently visiting Auckland to collaborate with a colleague on a long-standing research project. He is working on a new translation into English of Newton’s Principia.

“Newton’s Principia completely changed our understanding of astronomy and physics, and our appreciation of the power of mathematics to solve problems. The mathematical background that Newton assumes is very little, and the stunningly clever ideas that he uses are all quite simple. Yet the P remains hard to read, either in the original Latin or in the current translations into English. I hope to explain in a simple way some of Newton’s revolutionary ideas, and to give a feeling for what he achieved.”

Egypt: Beyond the Tomb

Opening May 25 for a Limited Season

Egypt: Beyond the Tomb brings the ancient Egyptian world of the dead to life right here at Auckland Museum. It comes direct from Te Papa where it has been a huge hit.

This extraordinary exhibition follows Keku, an Egyptian woman who lived 2700 years ago, as she makes the perilous journey through the underworld towards the eternal afterlife.

Visit the exhibition to see the full breadth of burial treasures on display, from the 2700-year-old coffins and mummy of Keku to mummification tools and amulets. Step into the world of the ancient Egyptians, where life exists beyond the tomb.

Developed by the Australian Museum and the National Museum of Antiquities (Leiden, The Netherlands). “Image © National Museum of Antiquities, the Netherlands.”

ENDS

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