GNS: science behind TV's 'Eruption' is real
The TV movie Eruption, which screened on TV3 last night, proved something of an entertainment disaster.
The TV movie Eruption, which screened on TV3 last night, proved something of an entertainment disaster.
The Twitterati exploded in derisive delight (which at least held up viewership), as the narrative sludged along with diversions into latch-key kids, breast cancer, alcoholism, and Asians' apparent obsession with rent money (see posts under the Twitter hashtag #Eruption here).
But bogus acting and script aside, Crown Research Institute GNS Science is warning New Zealanders that the science behind the docu-drama is very real.
"The portrayal in Eruption of a magma hot-spot under Auckland showing signs of unrest leading to an eruption in Waitemata Harbour is realistic and scientifically credible," GNS said on its website.
GNS has a network of nine sensors dedicated to detecting the precursor earthquakes that would occur in the days before an eruption as magma forced its way to the surface. Four of them are placed in boreholes between 300m and 400m below the surface, the better to escape noise from Auckland traffic, and other distractions.
A Facebook page has been set-up by GNS to field the public's questions following the screening of Eruption. Hopefully the interactive discussion will allow geologists to weigh in against some of the poor safety practices depicted in the movie, such as turning to alcohol, or sticking around to video the blast.
One commentor, who was distressed last night when Clive the geologists giant Mac and iPad were destroyed, was told by the GeoNet moderator that ""A few of us have apple but not as funky looking as Clives I'm afraid!"
NBR staff
Thu, 14 Oct 2010
Thu, 14 Oct 2010
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GNS: science behind TV's 'Eruption' is real
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