Australia urged to learn from New Zealand's White Island volcano tragedy with 'a lot more' preparation

By Selina Green

Volcano experts say Australia needs to be better prepared for a potential eruption, with a stretch between Melbourne and south-east South Australia home to about 400 volcanic centres.

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Volcanologists said they do "not know" when an eruption could occur in Australia and although the chances in our lifetime are small, there may not be much warning.

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"Because in the eruption you may even get other hazards," [Associate Professor of Volcanology and Geochemistry at Macquarie University, Heather Handley] said. "You might expect earthquakes, you might get tsunamis if it's near the coast, or you could even have bushfires [if] you're pouring out this hot material and it sparks the fire."

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At least 400 volcanic centres or events have erupted in the past 4.5 million years in the volcanic province that stretches from Melbourne across to SA.

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