“Never laugh at live dragons, Bilbo, you fool!” – J.R.R. Tolkien
“A day may come when the courage of men fails… but it is not THIS day.”
– Aragorn
New Zealand’s beautiful. We’re famous for it – amongst other things. And that beauty comes from the shifty ground beneath our feet.
The land shakes, rattles, and rolls, down here. We get between 50 – 80 earthquakes a day. Relax- the vast majority are so small no-one actually feels them.
Sometimes the land explodes. Yep, we have volcanoes, too, lots of them.
On Friday, less than week after my earlier visit, I flew back to Auckland for a work meeting. It was sublime flying weather, when you could imagine sprouting a set of wings for yourself, soaring high into the sky on thermal updrafts much like a hawk.
The volcanic plateau of the central North Island, New Zealand
In this photo I can see six different volcanoes: Ruapehu, Tongariro, Ngaruhoe, Taranaki, Pihanga, and Lake Taupo. It looked very quiet down there: no signs of volcanic activity.
But back in 1973 Dad took us on a family holiday to Tongariro National Park. It still rates as one of the best holidays, ever. It was my first trip to the snow, we climbed Ruapehu, and, oh, by the way, Mount Ngauruhoe erupted.
It was the middle of the night. There was an earthquake, a sharp jolt, accompanied by the loudest boom I’ve ever heard. Suddenly the caravan we were staying in seemed rather flimsy. But we’re made of strong stuff, us Kiwis. We didn’t pack up and go home. No way. We carried on holidaying with this as a backdrop!
No wonder Peter Jackson used Ngauruhoe as Mount Doom in LOTR.
Eruption, Mount Ngauruhoe, early 1970s
Volcanoes are a feature of Auckland, too. The city is built on a volcanic field of more than fifty. They’ve been erupting for about 250,000 years.
Map of the Auckland Volcanic Field by Ferdinand von Hochstetter, 1864
The field is currently dormant – which is good to know. What’s not quite so reassuring is that it’s not considered extinct. The most recent eruption was Rangitoto Island approximately 600 hundred years ago, post the arrival of Maori in New Zealand. Another eruption is anticipated some time over the next few thousand years.
So the question is then, What to do about this when in Auckland ? Freak out or get up close and personal?
There’s only one answer. During our weekend family visit we went for a wander up Mt Eden, the highest volcanic cone in the city area. The exercise was great, the views incredible.
Looking across the crater of Mount Eden to Rangitoto Island
Auckland City from Mount Eden
Photo bombed by the cutest puppy, ever. We’re actually looking towards One Tree Hill from Mount Eden, Auckland City
One Tree Hill, which you can see in the photo above is one of the most famous volcanoes in the city. It’s of historic significance to Maori and Pakeha. As with many of the others you can readily see middens and other signs of early settlement.
Some might find it unnerving living in such an unstable land, but it doesn’t seem to be putting anyone off. Auckland is the fastest growing city in New Zealand. It’s easy to see why.
Ailsa’s travel theme: Feet
During our walk up Mount Eden the sun was high in the sky, which tested my photographic ability. So, I’m sending these to Lucile at the clinic: Photo 101 Rehab
Categories: Auckland, Off The Beaten Track in Aotearoa
Jill's Scene 
So much adventure and beauty in New Zealand ~ and while I have heard so much of the beauty, seen so much of the beauty in photos (and of course the great LOTR movies), it is always nice to have a written account of it as well… Earthquakes and Kiwis I would not have imagined, but yes, with the volcanoes it makes sense. The crater of Mount Eden to Rangitoto Island photo is way cool ~ how I imagine NZ to be…unlike anywhere else in the world.
LikeLike
Oh, thank-you Dalo. We are so far away from anywhere it means the air is usually very clear, barring ash from volcanic eruptions, of course! The colours of the sky and sea have a sharpness to them I haven’t encountered anywhere else, either.
LikeLike
You’ve captured the beauty that is Auckland Jill. Brings back many memories.
LikeLike
Thanks Pauline!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That green looks almost unreal! I was reading an article recently on a methane gas fire in a forest in New Zealand which has been burning for almost 100 years. Such interesting geography!
LikeLike
Wow, Elizabeth, I didn’t know that about the fire so I did what we all seem to do these days and I asked Google. It’s near Murchison, at the top of the South Island.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great to read your post Jill. Just makes me keener to take a trip across the ditch!
LikeLike
You know what to do about that Debbie 😉 More seriously, thanks for telling me how much you enjoyed my post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post, Jill! I love visiting volcanoes, but have yet to trip across those in New Zealand.
LikeLike
If you make it down here and you fancy a trek across volcanoes this is for you DrFumblefinger:
http://www.tongarirocrossing.org.nz
I’ve done both the Tongaririo Alpine Crossing and I’ve done the four day walk around Mount Ngauruhoe – too many years ago to count, though.
They were both unforgettable.
LikeLike
Amazing! I did not know about all the volcanoes or the earthquakes. The photos are eye opening for me. I guess living near Mt. St. Helens is similar, but I can’t decide if Kiwi’s are the ultimate optimists or life’s surfers enjoying living on the edge danger 🙂
I can’t tell you how much it means to me to learn about New Zealand. I think I told you that my Dad died there on his return from his second trip to Antarctica in 1963. He had told us that New Zealand was the closest thing to his idea of heaven he had ever experienced. I always wanted to explore New Zealand. At 78 now, I’m pretty sure it isn’t going to happen, but your posts are close!! Bless you.
LikeLike
Eileen, I just had to laugh at your first paragraph. I’d like to claim that we are a bit of both.
What a wonderful thing for your father to say about our country, Eileen, although the country has changed a lot since the sixties. Much of it, but not all of it, for the better. How very sad that your Dad died here. Was he in Christchurch?
Thanks you so very much for reading my blog, Eileen. It’s a thrill to know how much you enjoy it. Take care.
LikeLike
I’m equally fascinated by the geography of a country as I am in the history so this post is right up my alley. Not sure I’d want to live in close proximity to a volcano but they do make the most delightful view points and there is no denying New Zealand’s natural beauty.
LikeLike
Hi Jude, all that pushing and shoving and boiling that goes on beneath the earth’s crust does make for beautiful scenery. As for living near volcanoes, I guess people are used to it … that, or they don’t think about it much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fascinating to learn about. What an impressive view from above. There’s nothing like that near me.
LikeLike
Thanks for visiting Carrie 🙂 Most of the volcanic activity is in and around the North Island but the South Island gets its shares of earthquakes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yikes. Those aren’t much fun.
LikeLike
Thanks so much for posting these pictures. We haven’t been to New Zealand, but I’d love to see the country and Mt. Eden. Love that shot!
LikeLike
Thanks Rusha, I know I’m biased but it is very beautiful down here – especially on a good day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing images Jill. We were in Mexico when Mt Colima erupted earlier this year. Such astounding forces of nature.
LikeLike
Humbling when you see them in action, that’s for sure, Sue.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was going to say “you should ask ‘what would Jill do?'” But I would do the same. These are wonderful photos. I love the one with the dog 🙂 The volcanoes in the distance remind me of the Pacific Northwest. I lived in Seattle when Mt St Helens erupted. Two weeks before the eruption, some friends and I went on a motorcycle tour of several state-sponsored volcano watching sites. I think at least one of those sites was destroyed during the eruption.
LikeLike
I remember watching the Mt St Helens eruption on the TV news and I’ve seen before and after photos. Cataclysmic is the only word that comes close to what happened there. And you were so very fortunate, Dan, to both view the volcanoes and to not be there at the wrong time.
LikeLike
We will be coming to Waiuku 22 October for 3 weeks.
We might meet up again may be you can come and visit us.
I enjoyed your post as I am familiar with the areas.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Jack, that would have been awesome but we’re heading off to Thailand and Myanmar that very weekend.
LikeLike
No worries, you will have a great time in those wonderful countries and can show and tell us all about it in your blog.
LikeLike
All this talk of volcanoes and the fact that they can erupt!! is a little scary… But fantastic views surely and an interesting read 🙂
LikeLike
Hello writenlive, nice to see you here, again. Thank you so much for your comment. I think the best thing is not to think about it all too much, and to just soak in the views. It is beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, the views are to die for! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great article Jill. Ran all over the Auckland mounts as a kid, and wandered around those Central Plateau peaks. Don’t let anyone tell you the Tasman Bridge in Hobart compares with Auckland’s.
LikeLike
Hi Andy, I was seventeen before I spent any time in Auckland and that was on my way to the States. But as for the volcanic plateau, it was instant love from that very first visit way back in 1973.
LikeLike
Wow Jill! Gorgeous photos. I can’t believe you were there when Mount Ngauruhoe erupted. Amazing. We loved Auckland when we were there. Must go back. 🙂 ~Terri
LikeLike
Thanks Terri. It was an unforgettable experience being that close to the mountain when she spat the dummy. The volcanic plateau is a very humbling place to spend time even when the volcanoes are quiet.
LikeLike
Jill, once again I’m delighted to read your post and learn more about your beautiful country. The photos are a testimony to nature’s generosity for your land.
I didn’t know of all these volcanoes and of their activity levels. Let’s keep them still!
Your narrative keeps adding spices to my plans to visit NZ one day. You’re a great ambassador!
Thanks for making the Photo Rehab a beautiful place with the addition of your photos.
Cheers,
Lucile
LikeLike
Lucile, you’re altogether too kind – thank-you. Wouldn’t it be great if we could keep those volcanoes still – although on the other hand all that activity is a sure sign our planet is alive … and kicking!
LikeLike
Jill, you’re so welcome. It would be ideal but we know it’s impossible! As you very well said, there is nothing in this planet that is not alive and kicking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the veiws – just not sure about what created them 🙂 The shape of your bridge looks very similar to ours here in Hobart, from this distance anyway.
LikeLike
Having been close to one eruption I with you on that verdict, Claudette. Maybe I’ll have to visit Hobart to check out the bridge 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do that Jill, it is a nice little city with a Big Mountain (not a volcano) and a bridge 🙂
LikeLike