Your chance to plumb the depths of volcanoes and earth sciences happens next week when hundreds of volcanologists and earth scientists from around the world meet in Rotorua for the IAVCEI Scientific Assembly.

Sponsored by GNS Science and Toka Tū Ake EQC, and hosted by the University of Waikato, the Assembly is the largest in-person conference to be held in Aotearoa since the Covid pandemic began with more than 900 scientists from 41 countries attending.

Attendees will engage in five days of seminars, workshops and field trips, with many additional field trips happening over the weekends before and after the conference.

Pohutu Geyser playing, Whakarewarewa geothermal field, Rotorua.

The public is encouraged to come along to Volcanofest on Thursday to meet globally renowned volcanology experts, and learn about volcanoes and seismic activity in New Zealand and around the world.

Co-convenor and Senior Lecturer in Earth Sciences at University of Waikato, Dr Adrian Pittari, says it's a chance for the community to learn more about science that they see and live with every day.

'Volcano Fest is a unique opportunity for children, parents and the entire community to learn and interact with the science and the scientists.

'NZ is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and our communities need to be aware of volcanology and prepared for volcanic hazards. This conference will include a lot of the latest local and international research on volcanoes and volcanic eruptions.”

Gas flight observation, Tongariro eruption 2012.