Auckland Volcanoes

 

There is limited data available to determine the precise age of an of Auckland’s volcanoes however it is thought that Auckland's first volcano appeared between 60,000 and 140,000 years ago. Since then approximately 50 volcanoes have erupted throughout the greater Auckland region, this area is referred to as the Auckland volcanic field and has a life expectancy of approximately one million years.

 

The largest and most recent eruption was Rangitoto, about 600 years ago. The eruptions have become bigger over time, with Rangitoto making up almost 60% of the entire volume of erupted material in the Auckland volcanic field, however the other volcanoes are all relatively small, most are less than 150 meters in height.

 

The frequency and magnitude of eruptions in Auckland appear to be increasing over time. Of the roughly 50 volcanoes in Auckland it is estimated that, 20 have occurred within the last 20,000 years. Each of Auckland's volcanoes has occurred as an individual event and as such has its own unique volcanic history.

 

Mt Eden

 

Mount Eden (Maungawhau, the ‘Mountain of the Whau tree’ in Maori) is situated five kilometres south of the city centre and is a popular park and popular stop on Auckland tourist routes. The summit, used as a key lookout point is 196 metres above sea level and is the highest natural point in Auckland City providing first rate views over the city and harbour.

 

The 50 metre deep bowl-like crater is protected as both an archaeological and geological feature. Mt Eden erupted several times, the last eruption was about 15,000 years ago. It is estimated that the lava volume of these eruptions was 162 million cubic metres (the equivalent of 32,400 Olympic sized swimming pools).

 

Mt Eden was one of the important centres of Maori life in Auckland. Maori lived on Mt Eden from the first settlement (about 800 years ago) up until the 1700s when the pa (fortified village) was abandoned.

 

One Tree Hill

 

One Tree Hill (or Maungakiekie, 'hill of the kiekie vine' in Maori) is a prominent Auckland landmark that is the largest (in terms of area covered) of Auckland’s volcanic peaks and stands 183 meters above sea level. One Tree Hill Domain and the adjoining Cornwall Park are both popular recreational reserves full of grassy slopes, barbeque areas and gardens, and a combined total area of 220 hectares (540 acres) in the middle of central Auckland suburbs.

 

The summit is a great look out which provides views across the Auckland area, and allows visitors to see both of Auckland's harbours.

 

When Auckland was a colonial town a lone native tree stood near the summit which giving the hill its English name. The tree was cut down by a European settler in 1852 a pine tree was planted in the 1870s to replace the previous tree. John Logan Campbell tried in vain to grow native trees on the hill's summit. Only two pines, originally part of a wind break for the native trees survived. In 1960, one of the pines was cut down and once again it was one tree hill.

The summit stands empty at the moment, (the tree was removed on 26 October 2000 due to the risk of it collapsing after two chainsaw attacks), except for the obelisk that surmounts the grave of Sir John Logan Campbell the 'founding father' of Auckland. A local nickname, "None Tree Hill", became popular soon after the removal of the tree. Plans are in place to plant a grove of native trees on the summit however planting is on hold until local treaty claims are processed.

 

Cornwall Park is the legacy of Sir John Logan Campbell, the 'founding father' of Auckland City. He decided to leave his Greenlane property, originally a farm to the city as a park. Around 120 hectares (296.5 acres), parts of the park are still run as a farm today.

The name Cornwall Park is due to the Royal visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall (later King George V & Queen Mary) to New Zealand in 1901. Campbell was appointed honorary Mayor of Auckland for the visit, it was at this time that he gifted the park to the people of new Zealand asking only that is be named Cornwall Park. He was knighted in return.

 

Acacia Cottage, one of the earliest surviving timber buildings in New Zealand and originally the home of William Brown and John Logan Campbell can be found in Cornwall Park. Originally located in Shortland Street in the city centre it was relocated to the park in 1920 and then moved in 1956 to a more accessible location within the park.

 

One Tree Hill Domain is home to The Stardome Observatory which houses two telescopes and a planetarium that are open to the public for a small fee.

 

 

Rangitoto Island

 

Rangitoto Island was formed by a series of eruptions that are believed to have lasted between ten and two hundred years with some periods of dormancy in between. At 5.5 km wide and rising 260 meters above the Hauraki Gulf, Rangitoto is the largest and most recent of Auckland’s volcanoes. Visible from multiple points throughout Auckland, Rangitoto is an iconic landmark of Auckland with its distinctive symmetrical cone.

 

Rangitoto is roughly translated into English as meaning ‘Bloody Sky’. Maori were living on Motutapu Island while Rangitoto was formed and human foot prints have been found between the layers of volcanic ash that fell on Motutapu.

 

Purchased by the Crown in 1854 for ₤15, Rangitoto was set aside as a reserve in 1890 and soon became a favorite destination for day trips. During WWII some military structures were built on the island to assist the harbour defences and store mines, an observation post is accessible on the summit.

 

Materials that collapsed during cooling have left a moat like ring surrounding the summit crater. This unusual feature can be viewed from the path that circles the rim. Roughly 200 meters from the summit on the eastern side, visitors can walk through some of the lava tubes, remnants of the passage of liquid lava. Rangitoto’s lava tubes are cave like in size and a torch is usually required to explore.

 

Fullers operate a ferry service to the island with several daily sailings (times and frequency vary depending on the season) from the ferry terminal on Quay Street. Visitors to the island can walk to the summit or take the 4WD land train (with a ranger guide) to just below the summit. There are no shops on the island so visitors need to bring all provisions with them including drinking water. There is no camping on the island however one or two of the small accommodations near the wharf are on occasion available for hire.

 

Rangitoto is a Department of Conservation (DOC) administered reserve, accordingly dogs and other animals are not to be taken onto the island.

 

Lake Pupuke

 

A freshwater lake on Auckland’s North Shore, roughly 4.5 km in circumference and with depths of up to 57 meters the lake fills an explosion crater caused by the explosion of the Pupuke volcano. One of the oldest volcanoes in the Auckland, possibly 150 000 years old, it does not look like a typical volcano because it is inverted and many people do not realise that the lake is of volcanic origins.

 

Eruptions of the Pupuke volcano produced substantial lava flows that have allowed water to seep through their cracks and flow under the crater. This has resulted in a number of freshwater springs at nearby beaches. Lava flows at the end of Takapuna Beach consumed a kauri forest, leaving tree moulds (ancient fossils of the kauri forest), some can still be seen at low tide.

 

A pump house was built on the lake shore in1894 to supply water to the area, in 1906 a second pump house was built to replace the first. This pump house is now a protected building and operating as a theater and art gallery with an adjacent cafe.

 

Lake Pupuke is a popular for recreational activities such as picnicking, windsurfing, kayaking and rowing with some college crews practicing on the lake. Although the lake has tested positive for safe swimming conditions it is not recommended as the water is murky and contains thick vegetation.