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The active volcanoes of New Zealand are all part of the Taupo
Volcanic Zone, a strip of land that extends NE from the centre
of the North Island into the Bay of Plenty. There the earth's
crust is stretched and downfaulted, as a result of the sinking
of the Pacific tectonic plate underneath the Australian tectonic
plate, several tens of kilometres below the surface of the North
Island. The most continuously active is White Island in the
Bay of Plenty. Tongariro has several geothermal areas, while
Ngaruhoe and Ruapehu erupt intermittently, every few years or
decades. On each of these volcanoes there are good opportunities
to discover an active volcanic landscape and to observe volcanic
activity at work.
Learn more about Natural
history/the volcanoes of New Zealand.
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Top: the crater of Mt Ruapehu is
surrounded by some of the mountain's main glaciers. Crater lake
was emptied during the 1995-1996 eruption phase, and has been
refilling since. Photo courtesy of Ruapehu Tourism.
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References for this page:
Rob Greenaway 1997: The
Restless Land - Stories of Tongariro National Park. Department
of Conservation.
Karen Williams 1998: Volcanoes
of the South Wind: Fieldguide to the Volcanoes of Tongariro
National Park. Tongariro Natural History Society.
Karen Williams 1991: Coming Round the Mountains - A Round the
Mountains Tour of the Volcanoes of Tongariro National Park.
Tongariro Natural History Society.
Karen Williams 1996: Ruapehu
Erupts. Godwit.
Bruce Houghton, Vince Neall and David Johnston 1996: Eruption!
Mt Ruapehu Awakes. Viking.
On the web:
Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences: White
Island
Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences: Ruapehu
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REGION
from N to S |
VOLCANO |
DETAILS |
| Locate these places
in maps: North
Island |
| Bay
of Plenty |
White
Island |
This
is the most continuously active of New Zealand's volcanoes.
It is located in the Bay of Plenty, 50 km (approx. 30 miles)
from the coast. The island rises over 300 m (1000 ') above
sea level but 70% of the whole structure is under the water,
making it New Zealand's largest volcano. The continuous
volcanic activity on the island includes boiling springs,
mud pools, and steam and gas release. This is puncuated
by periods of small to medium eruptions, as in 1998 when
ash was received as far as Rotorua. Several tourism companies
operate helicopters and launches from Rotorua and Whakatane.
Caution: White Island is an active volcano. Hazards exist
at all times. Do not venture on or close to the island without
appropriately experienced and qualified guides. |
| Tongariro
National Park |
Tongariro |
Tongariro
National park was created to protect the land encompassed
by the three great volcanoes Tongariro, Ngaruhoe and Ruapehu.
On Tongariro current volcanic activity is limited to geothermal
features such as warm ground, steam and gas emissions, and
hot springs. The most active (in deed of of New Zealand's
most active) area is Ketetahi Hot Springs. The steam plume
is usually easily visible from quite a long way, highways
46 and 47 in particular. They can be approached easily by
a 2 hour walk (one way) from the Ketetahi carpark. However
visitors are asked to maintain the springs' tapu, or sacredness,
by not visiting them. Good views can be enjoyed from the
track. The other active geothermal area on Tongariro is
Red Crater, with some warm ground and steam release. The
access to Red Crater, although not difficult, involves a
3 hour walk (one way) from Mangatepopo carpark on mountain
terrain. It should be attempted by suitably experienced
and equipped parties only. Visit Whakapapa Village Visitor
Centre for further information before setting out. |
| Tongariro
National Park |
Ngaruhoe |
This
volcano erupted last in 1975. For several years after that
a steam plume was usually rising from the crater, but in
more recent times it has disappeared. Access to the crater
involves a 3-4 hour walk (one way) from Mangatepopo carpark,
up steep slopes of loose rock debris. It should be attempted
by suitably experienced and equipped parties only. Remember
that Ngaruhoe is an active volcano: the crater should be
approched with care, and any sign of activity should be
seen as potential danger. Visit Whakapapa Village Visitor
Centre for further information before setting out. |
| Tongariro
National Park |
Ruapehu |
An active eruption
phase took place in 1995-1996, producing mostly ash and
lahars. Ash spread as far as Gisborne and Rotorua, while
some of the lahars flew down the Whakapapa skifield. The
crater lake was emptied by the eruptions, and is still in
a re-filling phase. Many interesting volcanic features such
as old lava flows, lahar mounds and silica springs can be
seen on or around the mountain. The crater area is a very
interesting destination. It is a vast plateau, above 2500m
(8200'), which includes, apart from Crater Lake, several
peaks and a glacier. It can be reached by a 2-3 hour walk
(one way) from the top of the chairlifts. The going is not
difficult although route finding may be tricky, especially
when visibility is not optimal. This is a high altitude
alpine area, and this walk should be attempted by suitably
experienced and equipped parties only. Visit Whakapapa Village
Visitor Centre for further information before setting out. |
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