Characterisation of the 2022–23 unrest episode at Taupō volcano, Aotearoa New Zealand

Taupō volcano is a frequently active rhyolitic caldera volcano in the central North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand that was the site of Earth’s most recent supereruption (Ōruanui, ∼25.5 ka), as well as one of the most violent eruptions globally of the last 5000 years (Taupō, 232±10 CE). Taupō has erupted 28 times since the Ōruanui event and displays unrest activity (seismicity and surface deformation) on roughly decadal timescales. In 2022–23, Taupō volcano underwent a period of unrest with elevated levels of earthquakes and ground deformation, including a M 5.7 earthquake that caused a tsunami within Lake Taupō. This elevated activity resulted in the Volcanic Alert Level for Taupō being raised to Level 1 for the first time. Here, we present results from a detailed characterisation of the activity beneath Taupō throughout the year-long unrest episode including a catalogue of earthquake locations; relative relocations; magnitudes; and focal mechanisms. We focus particularly on the detail in the catalogue that reveal the processes, state and structure of the modern magma reservoir beneath Taupō and builds our ability to interpret future unrest and possible eruption at the volcano.