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Most of the volcanoes presented here are categorised as dormant
because they display no current sign of activity. However most
have been continuously active until recently, and are in fact
active in geological terms. Egmont erupted last about 1755,
and Tarawera in 1886.
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Mt Egmont/Taranaki seen from the
noth-east. Photo NC.
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Specific references for this page:
Llyod Homer, Phil Moore and Les Kermode 2000: Lava
and Strata - A Guide to the Volcanoes and Rock Formations of
Auckland. IGNS.
Ewen Cameron, Bruce Hayward and Graeme Murdoch 1997: A
Field Guide to Auckland. Godwit.
Geoffrey J. Cox and Bruce W Hayward 1999: The
Restless Country - Volcanoes and Earthquakes of New Zealand.
HarperCollins.
R.H. Clark 1989: New Zealand from the Road - Landforms of the
North Island. Heinemann Reed.
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As a result these volcanoes present
a diversity of young volcanic features which make them especially
interesting to visit.
Learn more about Natural
history/the volcanoes of New Zealand.
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REGION
from N to S |
VOLCANO |
DETAILS
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| Locate these places
in maps: North
Island |
| Northland |
Kaikohe Volcanic
Field |
Young small volcanoes
make conspicuous features in the landscape, from Kaikohe
east to Ohaeawai and Waitangi. A road goes to the summit
of Kaikohe Hill in Kaikohe township. |
| Northland |
Whangarei Volcanic
Field |
Young volcanic cones
make prominent features in a volcanic field immediately
west of Whangarei. |
| Auckland |
Rangitoto Island |
Rangitoto is the
youngest volcano in Auckland and the latest addition to
the Auckland Volcanic Field. Created about 600 years ago
it is also the largest and highest of all. It is also the
most conspicuous, thanks to its position as a separate island
separating the Waitemata Harbour from the Hauraki Gulf.
Interesting volcanic features can be discovered there: lava
flows, scoria deposits, lava caves, and the crater. Rangitoto
also provides a spectacular example of colonisation of a
newly formed volcano by vegetation. This is definitely one
of the not-to-be-missed excursions of Auckland. Daily ferry
service from Auckland Central. Good walking tracks. |
| Auckland |
Auckland Volcanic
Field |
Volcanism has turned
the Auckland Isthmus, by itself a particularly fine area
with its indented coastline, into a simply exceptional landscape.
There are 48 known volcanic vents in the Auckland Volcanic
Field, which extends over 25 km from Lake Pupuke on the
North Shore to Manurewa in the south. The widespread cones
and hills add much to the isthmus' skyline, as does the
diversity of volcanic forms which include scoria cones with
and without craters, explosion craters, and lava flows and
fields. Many of these volcanoes can be visited easily, and
fine views can be obtained from the highest and most central
ones such as Mt Eden, One Tree Hill or Mt Wellington. |
| Bay
of Plenty |
Mt Edgecumbe |
Located 3 km south-east
of Kawerau, Mt Edgecumbe rises nearly 800 m (2625') above
the surrounding plain. It is one of the three andesitic
volcanoes at the northern end of the Taupo Volcanic Centre,
with Whale Island and White Island. Its general shape is
of a steep-sided cone, with at the summit a crater containing
a small lake. The latest eruption dates back several thousand
years. |
| Bay
of Plenty |
Mt Tarawera |
Tarawera, 25 km southeast
of Rotorua, is one of New Zealand's most important volcanoes.
It is famous for the eruption of 10 June 1886, the largest
recorded in New Zealand in the last 150 years. Tarawera
is made of rhyolite, a very viscous lava which does not
flow easily. This accounts for the general elongated shape
of the volcano, with three major domes in the higher parts:
Tarawera, Ruawahia and Wahanga. The 1886 eruption has left
a very impressive and scenic new feature: the chasm which
passes through all three domes and opens up their interior.
The higher parts of the volcano and the chasm can be reached
either on foot, by 4-wheel-drive vehicle, or by light aircraft. |
| Taranaki |
Mt Egmont |
Mt Taranaki, or Egmont
as it was named by the Europeans, with its snow-capped (in
winter) and near-perfect cone rising high above the surrounding
plains, is the embodiment of the popular image of a volcano.
Its height of 2518 m (8261') makes it the second highest
volcano in New Zealand, but it rises from nearly sea level
and is therefore a large and impressive mountain. As such
it offers much scope for discovering volcanic features such
as lava flows, cumulodomes, lahar mounds, and more. More
generally the Egmont National Park, which encompasses all
land within a radius of 6 miles from the summit, offers
many opportunities for recreation and nature discovery.
Walking and tramping tracks lead through native rainforest,
sub-alpine scrubland and alpine herbfields. On clear days
outstanding views can be enjoyed from the slopes and the
summit, towards the surrounding plains, coastline, and the
great volcanoes of Tongariro National Park. There are tracks
to the summit from Dawson Falls and North Egmont Visitor
Centre. Caution: this is a high altitude alpine area, and
these walks should be attempted by suitably experienced
and equipped parties only. Visit Department of Conservation
Visitor Centre for further information before setting out. |
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