Auckland Walks
Enjoyable walking on and around By Mike Giri volcanic fields in Auckland
A
uckland city is built by the eruption of about 50 volcanoes within an area of 1,000 square kilometres, forming the hills, lakes, and basins of the city. When we think of a volcano, we normally visualise a scoria cone (cinder) with a crater mostly at the centre, with a steep conical hill of loose pyroclastic fragments, which are formed by explosive eruptions or lava fountains from usually a single vent. Typical examples are Mt Eden, Mt Wellington, One tree Hill, and Mt Mangere Domain. All volcanic remains do not, necessarily, have a typical cone with a crater in the middle. It may be just flat, filled with water to form a lake or marsh; and is called a tuff ring (or maar). These maars are formed by explosions caused by hot magma coming in contact with cold groundwater. Lake Pupuke Moana (Takapuna) is a good examples. However, my purpose is to deAbove: Mt Eden Volcano crater. Middle left: Mangere Mountain Domain. Below left: The view from the summit of Rangitoto.
28 Walking New Zealand, issue no 293
- 2022
www.walkingnewzealand.co.nz
