Story: Volcanoes

Mt Tarawera

Mt Tarawera

The summit of Mt Tarawera consists of a group of rhyolite lava domes extruded in the final stages of the Kaharoa eruption, about 1314 AD. The early explosive phases of this eruption spread rhyolitic ash over much of northern and eastern North Island. The photograph shows Wahanga, the northern dome of the summit cluster, which exhibits the steep sides and flat top typical of a rhyolite lava dome. Mt Tarawera sprang to life again on 10 June 1886. An explosive eruption of basalt blasted a line of craters through the domes, draping them with layers of basaltic scoria and ash.

Using this item

GNS Science
Reference: CN18086/29
Photograph by Lloyd Homer

Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Richard Smith, David J. Lowe and Ian Wright, 'Volcanoes - Caldera volcanoes and the Taupō Volcanic Zone', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/8688/mt-tarawera (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Richard Smith, David J. Lowe and Ian Wright, published 12 Jun 2006