by Charlotte Bellamy

Created on: August 20, 2008   Last Updated: November 24, 2008

I remember studying volcanoes during my school geography lessons; never in a million years did I ever expect to witness a volcanic eruption or have the chance to explore a live' volcano. However, trips to New Zealand offered me both these opportunities, and far from being scary, these experiences were very exciting, if not touched with a little uncertainty!

New Zealand has a high level of volcanic activity due to its location; lying on the rim of the Pacific tectonic plate. This fracture passes through both the North and South Islands, but has a different geological process affecting each. In the South Island, the Pacific and Indo-Australian plates are smashing in to each other, and this has created the spectacular Southern Alps mountain range. In the North Island, one tectonic plate is sliding under the other, and the result of this geological process is volcanic activity.

If you are looking to experience volcanic activity look no further than visiting the North Island of New Zealand for a day. Although you may not be aware of it, there are daily tremors and small movements in the earth all the time. Only the larger ones however are felt by more than the seismographs so although you may read about activity, that may be the only experience you have.

For a more up close and personal experience, try visiting one of New Zealand's recognised volcanoes;

*Mt Tongariro is a complex of multiple volcanic cones constructed over a period of 275,000 years. The active vents include Te Mri, Emerald, North Crater and Red Crater. There have been five reported eruptions from the Te Mri craters and Red Crater between 1855 and 1896 but they have been dormant since then.

*Ngauruhoe is the largest and youngest of the Tongariro cones being only 2,500 years old and is the most continuously active of the volcanoes in New Zealand. Many of the recent eruptions have produced lava flows down the side of the cone, the last having been in 1954.

*Mt Ruapehu is the highest mountain in the North Island and the most recent of the North Island volcanoes to have erupted. Three summit craters have been active during the last 10,000 years including South Crater which contains the currently active vent, filled by Crater Lake. Its last eruption occurred in 2007, and it was its eruption in 1995 that I experienced whilst living in the country.

These three volcanoes can be experienced in close proximity. For the able and fit, the Tongariro crossing hiking route is a spectacle not to be missed. Voted as one

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>