Filed under: Auckland, auckland accommodation, Free family activities, free fun
The Volcanic History of Auckland, New Zealand.
Mt Eden is one of Auckland’s most famous landmarks, but do you know the background behind it?
Mt Eden is a popular park and key stop on the Auckland tourist routes, as well as being the highest volcano in the Auckland isthmus and a constant reminder that Auckland is situated on a potentially active volcanic field.
Mt Eden, otherwise known by its Maori name of Maungawhau, ‘Hill of the Whau Tree’, is one of about 50 volcanoes in the Auckland region.
It was formed 20,000-30,000 years ago, and is 196 meters tall. It produced 162 million cubic meters (equivalent to 32,400 Olympic sized swimming pools) of lava!
Because of its type (a monogenetic volcano), Mt Eden and any of the other existing volcanoes in the area will not likely erupt again.
A visit to Mt Eden is well worth your time. It is close to the centre of the city and the views over Waitemata Harbor and Auckland city are fantastic. It is also free to visit.
Due to its archaeological and a geological features the cone and crater of Mt Eden are protected by law, and you should respect the sacredness and geological significance of the area by obeying the signage (do not climb down into the crater!).
Mt Eden has cultural significance; it was one of the most important Maori sites in the Auckland area. Maori lived here from about 800 years ago, building a pa (fortified village site) which was eventually abandoned in the 1700s. In 1840 the cone was one of three boundary points marking the original land purchase for Auckland. It was named Mt Eden after George Eden (Lord Auckland).
Some of Auckland’s older buildings and most of the basalt kerb stones that line the city streets were constructed using dressed stone quarried from lava flows at Mt Eden. These quarries were operated for many years, but closed down in 1928.
Image credits: semuthutan, Mt Eden, via flickr; Mike Riversdale via flickr
