Kōrero: Historic volcanic activity

The classic cone shape of Mt Taranaki (Mt Egmont) indicates that it is an active volcano. At 2,518 metres, it is the second-highest mountain in the North Island. A small subsidiary volcanic cone, Fanthams Peak, can be seen in the foreground.

Detailed studies by scientists from Massey University have worked out the history of volcanic eruptions at Mt Taranaki over the last 130,000 years. While eruptions have not occurred at regular intervals, on average there has been a moderate-sized eruption every 340 years, with numerous small ones.

Geologist Shane Cronin talks about eruptions over the last 700 years that may have been witnessed by Māori living in the area.

Transcript

Many people consider Mount Taranaki to be an extinct volcano and it's true that it's not erupted just recently or as frequently as say Ruapehu or Ngauruhoe. But it could definitely erupt again. And since Māori lived in the Taranaki area they would've seen at least 10 episodes of volcanic activity. Some eruptions were sudden explosions, producing ashfall out to the east whilst others would've gone for weeks and months maybe producing many hot so called pyroclastic flows down the north western flanks. These would've caused widespread fires in the area. The eruptions all involved extrusion of very viscous lava at the top of the volcano, producing dome like structures just like this present summit of the volcano which may have been in place as late as the 1800s.