What is Mt Ruapehu known for?
Mt Ruapehu is the largest active volcano in New Zealand and is located at the southern end of the Taupo Volcanic Zone. , Ruapehu is the highest peak in the North Island (2797m), with several subsidiary peaks and several small glaciers. Three summit craters have been volcanically active in the last 10,000 years.
How old is Mount Ruapehu?
around 200,000 years
Ruapehu is one of New Zealand’s most active volcanoes and forms the highest peak of the North Island. The andesitic stratovolcano has an age of around 200,000 years and contains a large summit crater containing a lake.
How often does Ruapehu erupt?
every 20–30 years
This prevents build-up of pressure and results in relatively small, frequent eruptions (every 20–30 years on average) at Ruapehu compared to other andesitic volcanoes around the world.
Why does Mount Ruapehu erupt?
Mount Ruapehu usually erupts ‘andesitic’ material – fine-grained brown or greyish volcanic rock. Lahars (mudflows comprised of mainly volcanic debris) are likely to occur when the crater lake over flows or the crater rim collapses and the water then mixes with snow and volcanic debris from the crater and valley floor.
How was Mt Ruapehu created?
Mount Ruapehu began forming over 250,000 years ago from layers of lava and other volcanic material. In recorded history, trends show Mount Ruapehu’s eruptions happened every 50 years. The last major eruption was in 1995 after having shown signs of increased activity.
What is the shape of Mount Ruapehu?
cone-shaped
On the North Island of New Zealand, the Mount Ruapehu volcano is just such a threat. A towering, active stratovolcano (the classic cone-shaped volcano), snow-capped Ruapehu Volcano is pictured in this enhanced-color image.
How did Mount Ruapehu get its name?
Ruapehu is the Māori word for ‘pit of noise’ or ‘exploding pit’. It is the largest active volcano in New Zealand and is located at the southern end of the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Rising above the surrounding plains to 2797m, Ruapehu is the highest peak in the North Island, with several subsidiary peaks.
How was Mount Ruapehu created?
Is Mount Ruapehu male or female?
In Maori story telling Mount Ruapehu was a female mountain and it sits beside the male Mount Tongariro, and was at one point wedded to Mount Taranaki. Ruapehu was said to be a beautiful maiden. One day, while her husband Taranaki was away, she was seduced by the masculine Mount Tongariro.
How many people died on Mt Ruapehu?
Scientists estimate that Ruapehu has experienced 60 lahars in the last 150 years. A devastating lahar in 1953 killed more than 150 people, who died when a passenger train plunged into a ravine when a railroad bridge was taken out by the lahar.
What type of volcano is Mt Ruapehu New Zealand?
stratovolcano
A towering, active stratovolcano (the classic cone-shaped volcano), snow-capped Ruapehu Volcano is pictured in this enhanced-color image.
How did Mt Ruapehu get its name?
Ruapehu is the Māori word for ‘pit of noise’ or ‘exploding pit’. It is the largest active volcano in New Zealand and is located at the southern end of the Taupo Volcanic Zone.
How old is the Ruapehu volcano in New Zealand?
Mt Ruapehu is an active stratovolcano located in Tongariro National Park, in the centre of the North Island, New Zealand. 2.) Mt Ruapehu is estimated to be about 200,000 years old. 3.) It is the largest volcano in New Zealand and is also the highest point in the North Island.
Where is Mount Ruapehu on the North Island?
It is 23 kilometres (14 mi) northeast of Ohakune and 23 km (14 mi) southwest of the southern shore of Lake Taupo, within Tongariro National Park. The North Island ‘s major ski resorts and only glaciers are on its slopes.
What kind of activity is there on Mount Ruapehu?
In modern times, volcanic activity has been centered on Crater Lake. There are two active vents under the lake, dubbed North Vent and Central Vent. Activity is characterized by cyclic heating and cooling of the lake over periods of 6–12 months.
How many people died on Mt Ruapehu in 1953?
A devastating lahar in 1953 killed more than 150 people, who died when a passenger train plunged into a ravine when a railroad bridge was taken out by the lahar. The flank of the volcano below the lake is deeply carved by the path of previous lahars; the gouge can be seen just left of image center.