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Story: Volcanoes

Ash layer, Chatham Islands

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Ash layer, Chatham Islands

A distinct white layer of volcanic ash enclosed in peat has been known for many years on Chatham Island (Rēkohu). In the photograph, it is the thin white layer, close to the handle of the geological hammer. It was originally named Rēkohu Ash, but it has since been identified as coming from the massive Ōruanui eruption in Lake Taupō, over 760 kilometres away. The thick layer above is burnt peat, not another ash.

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by Cam Nelson

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How to cite this page

Richard Smith, David J. Lowe and Ian Wright, Volcanoes – The Taupō volcano, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/8715/ash-layer-chatham-islands (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Richard Smith, David J. Lowe and Ian Wright, published 2 March 2009.