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Auckland – An Explosive History

Much of Auckland is built on a potentially active volcanic field. Within an area of about 360 square kilometres, there are about 50 volcanoes. None of these existing volcanoes are expected to erupt again. The next eruption will be in a new, unknown location.

It is thought that Auckland’s volcanoes first began to appear between 60,000 and 140,000 years ago, starting with the eruptions of the Domain and Albert Park volcanoes. The largest and most recent eruption was Rangitoto, about 600 years ago. The Auckland Volcanic Field is expected to have a life of approximately one million years, so potentially there is a lot of activity left in it yet.

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