[7] Aligned with the orientation of the modern Taupō Rift are multiple north-north-east trending normal faults.

[4] The tectonic activity is driven by the ground subsiding at a rate of 0.3–0.4 cm/year (0.12–0.16 in/year) since 61,000 years ago with largely orthogonal rifting associated with subduction and the clockwise rotation of the northern North Island allowing the rift to open.

[2]: 3 Detailed mapping, supplemented by deep ground trenching, of a portion of the southern Taupō Fault Belt prior to construction of a geothermal power station not only showed how inaccurate the inferred active fault tracings in this area are, with under counting potential active fault strands by a factor of perhaps two, it also caused the relocation of the power station.

This is consistent with a mafic magma intrusion (rather than one associated with the rhyolytic eruptions of Taupō) causing pressure over predominantly time, rather than place perpendicular to the usual strain on these fault systems and has been seen elsewhere.

[8] This is consistent with seismicity rather than volcanic activity poses the main short-term hazard at Taupō Volcano.