Mount Tongariro

The Tongariro massif

The Tongariro is a volcanic massif in the North Island of New Zealand.

Description

The Tongariro massif consists of a collection of volcanic cones that have formed over a period of the last 275,000 years. The most active craters are Te Mari, Emerald, North Crater and Red Crater. The youngest cone of the Tongariro complex, Ngauruhoe, was created 2500 years ago and today the highest point of the Tongariro dar. The Ngauruhoe is often referred to as a separate volcano, however, belongs geologically to the Tongariro complex.

On the Tongariro are numerous fumaroles. The remains of the scattered craters are the result of massive eruptions. Three of the crater lakes are known for their vibrant colors as Emerald Lakes.

Geography

With 1978 m is the highest peak of the massif in the Volcanic Plateau about twenty kilometers south of Lake Taupo. The Tongariro massif is the northernmost of the three active volcanoes that dominate the landscape in the center of the island.

Eruptions

In the years 1855-1897 five eruptions of the volcano in the area of ​​Te Mari Crater were documented. With a large, accompanied by earthquakes eruption of the upper Te Mari Crater was formed in 1869. Māori reported at the time of " bright red flames came through the smoke, as if the smoke would explode and then fell to the ground as snow ." 1892 broke the Tongariro again. This time the volcano hurled immense quantities of mud, rocks and steam out. The last eruption in the late 19th century took place in November 1896. Until the October 1897 into the mountain was active. Then the Te Mari Crater remained quiet until 2012.

After 115 years, the volcano erupted then 6 August 2012 at Te Mari Crater again. Here, an ejection of ash and incandescent rocks were observed. The volcano is considered as active since that time again and was put on the alert level 2 of the New Zealand Vulcanic alert levels. A new eruption occurred on 21 November 2012. Air traffic was directed to the area to fly around a wide area.

Tongariro National Park

The Tongariro National Park, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe in the next and the Ruapehu is located, was founded in 1894 and is the oldest national park in the country. He is also one of the oldest national parks in the world. Since 1990, the park is world heritage site since 1993 and the first world heritage with a culturally and religiously significant landscape.

Various scenes from the film trilogy The Lord of the Rings were filmed in the Tongariro National Park. When filming fight scenes damages requiring appropriate remedial work.

Tourism

Popular with walkers is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe between a hiking trail.