How many eruptions has Rangitoto had?

Today the island is managed by the Department of Conservation and is a public reserve and popular tourist destination. Rangitoto is Auckland’s largest and youngest volcano. It erupted out of the sea and has been the site of at least two eruptions, the last occurring about 600 years ago.

How likely is it that one of Auckland’s existing volcanoes will erupt again?

The Auckland volcanic field is made up of over 53 volcanoes and these volcanoes are extinct. This means they will not erupt again with the exception of Rangitoto Island, which is dormant.

What will happen if Rangitoto erupts?

There’d be severe damage between 2.5km and 4km from the volcanic vent, and damage to weak structures up to 6km away. It could also generate a 2m-high tsunami around the harbour. Experts say that wouldn’t completely devastate the city’s power network, but would cause major issues.

What will happen if Rangitoto erupted?

Houses, buildings and critical infrastructure within that area would be destroyed but structures 4km to 5km out could withstand the eruption, he said. Dr Wilson said disruption to services like electricity, water, communications and transport could go on for a long time, depending on where the eruption happened.

Is Auckland sitting on a volcano?

The city of Auckland is built on a volcanic field. There are 50 volcanoes within an area of 1,000 square kilometres, forming the hills, lakes and basins of the city. Rangitoto Island was formed by the most recent volcanic eruption 600 years ago – the blink of an eye in geological terms.

What would happen to Auckland if Rangitoto erupted?

Is Auckland safe from volcanoes?

The city of Auckland is located in an area that must be regarded as an active or potentially active volcanic field. The history of the field suggests that risk of further eruptions is of the order of 2 per cent chance per century.

Is Auckland due for a volcanic eruption?

The volcanic risk in Auckland is real; so is the uncertainty in the location of the next vent within the metropolitan area. However, there are no signs of any imminent eruption or unrest in the deep subsurface, so the risk is no different to what it has been over the last few hundred years – which is currently low.”

What is the youngest volcano in New Zealand?

Rangitoto is the youngest and largest of the approximately 50 volcanoes of the Auckland volcanic field, having formed in an eruption about 600 years ago, and covering an area of 2,311 ha (5,710 acres). It is separated from the mainland of Auckland’s North Shore by the Rangitoto Channel.

Where will the next volcano erupt in Auckland?

Is New Zealand in Ring of Fire?

New Zealand lies at the south-west end of a vast horseshoe-shaped zone of intense volcanism and earthquakes. This zone extends, essentially unbroken, around the margins of the Pacific Ocean – the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire.