Story: Volcanoes

Layers of volcanic ash

Layers of volcanic ash

Travellers along the Desert Road pass through road cuttings showing layers of andesitic tephra (ash and lapilli). These have been ejected within the last 15,000 years from Ruapehu, Ngāuruhoe (in the background) and Tongariro volcanoes.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Photograph by Alastair McLean

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How to cite this page:

Richard Smith, David J. Lowe and Ian Wright, 'Volcanoes - Tephra layers – a record of past eruptions', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/8728/layers-of-volcanic-ash (accessed 25 April 2024)

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