OP and Taniatarn,

I think you both make a great team. Having dear friends and family in NZ, I've been worrying for a couple of years now. I fear the 'land of the long white cloud' is waking up and going into a 'growing phase'. I hope for the best; the gentlest growth, but I can't ignore the signs.

Of course I can't ignore the bigger picture either and feel concern for everybody around the world, because I think the growth of planet earth comes in fits and starts (expanding Earth theory). Cycles of relative inactivity - which then peak at certain times in paroxysmal volcano and earthquake activity and all their related events.

It stands to reason, when we see increasingly chaotic conditions around the world which can all be thought of as the effects of increasing energy, within the local interstellar area surrounding us (electric Universe theory). All of it is connected... and of course the volcanoes and all the earthquakes are connected and it's foolish to assume they're not.

Where do you draw the line? They all exist where they are because of the greater, deeper geological relationships. Does the lava that comes from one cone have no connection deep down to that which comes from another cone fifty kilometres away? Just calling the magma 'lava' once it comes out doesn't mean there's no connection between those two cones. Does one part of the main fault near Fiordland have no relationship to that part which threw up the Kermadecs? It's absurd to think it doesn't even though that's how it's being presented. Can they be that dumb? Ha!

Being aware of what's happening locally and on the greater, global scale isn't stupid and I thank you both and urge you to carry on with this. It may just mean the difference for some and save lives, which can't be a bad thing. Those who call you doom merchants only have heir heads in the sand. The signs are there.