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The
Te Mari Craters area, Tongariro
Photo Craig Potton
| "If Red Crater conjures up images of a violent and wildly expressionistic character, then the Maari Craters on the northern slopes of Tongariro are perhaps the more classical and composed counterparts. They convey a soft serenity that cloaks their violent origins. Despite its almost perfect form, which suggest a very youthful volcano, the lower crater probably began to erupt about 14000 years ago. More recent activity in these parts all appear to have come from the site of the upper crater. About 450 years ago a vent in this region sent a massive 15-metre thick tongue of lava flowing into the forests below Ketetahi. The present form of the crater, however, dates from eruptions in 1868. It also erupted in 1892 and again in 1896-97 showering ash to a depth of 50mm on to the desert road. Throughout this century Te Maari has continued to fume away from steam vents on the crater walls without any further major eruptions." Excerpt and photo from Craig Potton: Tongariro, A Sacred Gift. |
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