Eighty scientists from around the world will converge on New Zealand in December to explore part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the Pacific tectonic plate slides under the Australian plate. Scientists say the Hikurangi Subduction Zone, on the East Coast of the North Island, can cause earthquakes of more than magnitude 8 and they want to find out why. NIWA marine geologist Dr Philip Barnes is co-leading the expedition, venturing into the zone that’s considered New Zealand’s largest earthquake and tsunami hazard.