GeoNet beta

You're viewing phase one of the GeoNet beta site. Features and content may change. Read this news article to find out what's happening. www.geonet.org.nz continues to run as usual.

Tongariro

0
Alert level
Alert level: 0 ACC: Green
State The overall status of the volcano in relation to volcanic activity.
No unrest
Volcanic activity The specific level of activity currently observed.
No volcanic unrest.
Most Likely Hazards The types of hazards and where they could affect people and property at this alert level.
Volcanic environment hazards.

An eruption may occur at any level, and levels may not move in sequence as activity can change rapidly.

All volcanoes
Cone Cone-shaped volcano, often with a summit crater.
Background map data copyright Toitū Te Whenua CC BY 4.0.

Overview

The Tongariro complex contains multiple volcanic cones; Te Māri crater erupted in twice in 2012.

Emerald Lakes and Red Crater.
Hide caption

Emerald Lakes and Red Crater.

Tongariro from the north-east (Te Māri Crater in foreground).
Hide caption

Tongariro from the north-east (Te Māri Crater in foreground).

Tongariro is a complex of multiple volcanic cones constructed over a period of 275,000 years. The active vents include Te Māri, Emerald Lakes, North Crater and Red Crater. There have been five reported eruptions from the Te Māri craters between 1855 and 1897 but they have been dormant until 2012.

Most Recent Eruption

Tongariro erupted twice in 2012 (6 August and 21 November) at Te Māri.

Previous Eruption

When
1869, 1892, 1896 and 1897
Where
Te Māri
Effects
In 1869 a large eruption (accompanied by an earthquake) formed the upper Te Māri Crater during an explosive eruption. Māori descriptions talk of "bright red flame through the smoke that would burst and fall like snow". In November 1892 Te Māri again belched forth an immense quantity of steam, mud and boulders; the ejected material rose 2,000 - 3,000 feet (600 - 900 m) before rushing down the mountain side. The last eruption began in November 1896 and activity lasted until October 1897.