Volcanic eruption test: Boulders fired at Auckland homes

A team of researchers used a ‘boulder cannon’ to shoot rocks at mock houses, Stuff reports, to find out what the damage to Auckland homes might be following a volcanic eruption. Researchers used a purpose-built pneumatic cannon that could shoot rocks at 180kph at structures built to Auckland’s building code. There is a 5-15% chance of a volcanic eruption in they city within a given lifetime. “It is a low probability but a high consequence event. It’s worth being prepared,” said lead researcher Thomas Wilson.