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Revision as of 05:43, 20 May 2009

Major volcanoes of New Zealand

Volcanism in New Zealand has been responsible for many of the country's geographical features, especially in the North Island, but has also claimed many lives. While the land's volcanic history dates back to before the Zealandia microcontinent rifted away from Gondwana, activity continues today with minor eruptions occurring every few years. This recent activity is due to the country's position on the boundary between the Indo-Australian and Pacific Plates, a part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

New Zealand's rocks record examples of almost every kind of volcanism observed on Earth, including some of the world's largest eruptions in geologically recent times.

Geology

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One of the world's largest eruptions in the last 5,000 years occurred around 200 AD, when Lake Taupo erupted, altering the geology of much of the North Island. The Taupo Volcanic Zone is merely one of New Zealand's fields. Auckland comprises a large, dormant field, made up of over fifty cones, the most recent of which to erupt was Rangitoto, 600-700 years ago. Other volcanoes are more recently active, including Tarawera, Mount Taranaki, Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, Ruapehu and White Island.

Cultural effects

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The Maori had many myths and legends regarding the volcanoes. The most prominent being the location of Taranaki, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe as they stand today. It is said that the other two volcanoes competed for the love of Tongariro, at which Taranaki lost. Defeated, Taranaki moved to the its present location in New Plymouth.

Major eruptions

Main vent of Whakaari/White Island in 2000.
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Over six hours on June 10 1886, Mount Tarawera erupted, spewing ash and debris over 16,000 km2, destroying the Pink and White Terraces, and three villages, including Te Wairoa, and claiming the lives of at least 153 people. Approximately 2 cubic kilometres of tephra was erupted.

Notes

  1. Historic volcanic activity - Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
  2. Dench, p 114
  3. "Okataina: Eruptive History". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution.

References

  • Dench, Alison; Essential Dates: A Timeline of New Zealand History, Auckland: Random House, 2005 ISBN 1869416899

See also

External links

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