Auckland Volcanic Field
Volcanic field · 260m · New Zealand
About Auckland Volcanic Field
Auckland Volcanic Field is a volcanic field rising to 260 meters (853 feet) in New Zealand's Tonga-Kermadec Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption was in 1446 CE. The volcano has produced 2 recorded eruptions.
Geography & Climate
Auckland Volcanic Field is located in New Zealand, within the Western North Island Volcanic Province of the broader Tonga-Kermadec Volcanic Regions. Situated at 36.89° S, 174.81° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. At just 260 meters above sea level, Auckland Volcanic Field is a relatively low-elevation volcanic feature. Despite its modest height, it remains an active geological formation with the same underlying magmatic processes as its taller counterparts. The volcanic landform is characterized as a cluster, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Auckland Volcanic Field is an intraplate volcano, meaning it formed away from any plate boundary. These volcanoes are often powered by hotspots — plumes of abnormally hot mantle material rising from deep within the Earth. Hotspot volcanoes like Auckland Volcanic Field tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in New Zealand more time to prepare. However, they can also produce explosive phases, particularly when magma interacts with groundwater. The dominant rock type is trachybasalt / tephrite basanite, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.
Eruption History Summary
Auckland Volcanic Field has 2 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 1397 CE to 1446 CE. These eruptions span roughly 49 years of volcanic history.
GVP Reference Summary
The 600 km2 Auckland Volcanic Field, at the south end of the Northland Peninsula, is overlain by New Zealand's largest city, Auckland / Tamaki Makaurau. This northernmost Quaternary volcanic field of the Auckland Intraplate Province is dominated by intraplate alkali basaltic to basanitic rocks. Fifty-three volcanic centers, comprised of maars, tuff rings, small lava shields, and scoria cones, are within an elliptical zone ~30 km long (N-S) and ~20 km wide (E-W) (Hopkins et al., 2017; Hopkins and Smid, et al., 2020). The first eruptions in the field began about 193,000 years ago, but over half of the volcanoes formed in the past 60,000 years, and there are 19 known eruptions within the last 20,000 years; only Rangitoto has been active during the Holocene (Needham et al., 2011; Hopkins et al., 2017). An eruption between 1400 and 1450 CE built the 6-km-wide Rangitoto Island, the largest volcano in the field, consisting of multiple scoria cones that cap a low shield with a broad apron of lava flows.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
2 Recorded Eruptions
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1446 | — | Confirmed Eruption | Rangitoto |
| 1397 | — | Confirmed Eruption | Rangitoto |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Auckland Volcanic Field
Is Auckland Volcanic Field an active volcano?+
Auckland Volcanic Field is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 1446 CE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Auckland Volcanic Field last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Auckland Volcanic Field occurred in 1446 CE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Auckland Volcanic Field has 2 recorded eruptions in total.
How high is Auckland Volcanic Field?+
Auckland Volcanic Field has a summit elevation of 260 meters (853 feet) above sea level. At 260 meters, it is a relatively low-elevation volcano.
What type of volcano is Auckland Volcanic Field?+
Auckland Volcanic Field is classified as a Volcanic field. Volcanic fields consist of clusters of small volcanic vents and cinder cones spread across a region. Rather than a single central vent, eruptions can occur at many points across the field.
Where is Auckland Volcanic Field located?+
Auckland Volcanic Field is located in New Zealand, in the Tonga-Kermadec Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Western North Island Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are -36.890° latitude, 174.810° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Auckland Volcanic Field?+
Auckland Volcanic Field can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. New Zealand may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
