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Tongariro Volcano

Updated: May 6, 2025 05:44 GMT -
complex volcano
North Island, New Zealand, -39.12°S / 175.65°E
Summit height: 1978 m / 6,490 ft
Current status: normal or dormant (1 out of 5)
Last update: 10 Dec 2021

Tongariro volcano is a large complex volcano with about 12 craters and vents, including the steep stratovolcano Ngauruhoe, which is the focus of most activity in recent times.
Tongariro with its colorful crater lakes, hot springs, fumaroles, numerous cones and lava deserts is one of the major tourist attractions of the North Island, and the famous "Tongariro crossing" is generally regarded as one of the most scenic hikes in the world.

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Typical eruption style: explosive
Tongariro volcano eruptions: Eruptions outside Ngauruhoe, mainly on SSE flank (Red Crater): 6 Aug 2012, 1927 (?), 1926, 1896, 1890 (?), 1886, 1885±1, 1869, 1859, 1855, 1500 ± 50, 550 BC ± 200 years, 9350 BC (?), 9450 BC (?), 9650 BC (?), 9850 BC (?)
Eruptions from Ngauruhoe vent: 1975-77, 1972, 1968-69, 1962, 1958-59, 1956, 1948-54, 1939-40, 1937, 1934, 1931, 1924-28, 1917, 1913-14, 1909-10, 1904-07, 1897-98, 1892, 1883, 1881, 1878, 1875, 1869-70, 1862-64, 1857, 1844, 1841, 1839, 550 BC ± 200

Latest nearby earthquakes

Date and TimeMag / DepthDistance / Location
May 6, 04:56 pm (GMT +12)
0.4

76 km
14 km (8.8 mi) to the SW Manawatu-Wanganui, 76 km southwest of Taupo, Waikato, New Zealand Info
May 6, 02:49 pm (GMT +12)
0.6

67 km
21 km (13 mi) to the SW 85 km northeast of Whanganui, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand Info
Monday, May 5, 2025 GMT (3 quakes)
May 6, 05:44 am (GMT +12)
0.6

3.1 km
19 km (12 mi) to the SW Manawatu-Wanganui, 119 km west of Hastings, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand Info
May 6, 03:02 am (GMT +12)
2.0

102 km
11 km (6.8 mi) to the NW New Zealand Info
May 5, 10:42 pm (GMT +12)
0.9

11 km
28 km (17 mi) to the SW New Zealand Info
Sunday, May 4, 2025 GMT (2 quakes)
May 4, 08:59 pm (Universal Time)
0.3

2 km
2.5 km (1.6 mi) to the NE New Zealand Info
May 5, 04:01 am (GMT +12)
1.6

88 km
12 km (7.3 mi) to the SE New Zealand Info
Sunday, April 27, 2025 GMT (1 quake)
Apr 27, 03:23 pm (GMT +12)
1.3

14 km
28 km (18 mi) to the SW New Zealand Info
Thursday, April 24, 2025 GMT (2 quakes)
Apr 25, 11:26 am (GMT +12)
1.8

101 km
29 km (18 mi) to the NE New Zealand Info

Background

Tongariro is a large andesitic volcanic massif, located immediately NE of Ruapehu volcano, that is composed of more than a dozen composite cones constructed over a period of 275,000 years.
Vents along a NE-trending zone extending from Saddle Cone (below Ruapehu volcano) to Te Mari crater (including vents at the present-day location of Ngauruhoe) were active during a several hundred year long period around 10,000 years ago, producing the largest known eruptions at the Tongariro complex during the Holocene. North Crater stratovolcano, one of the largest features of the massif, is truncated by a broad, shallow crater filled by a solidified lava lake that is cut on the NW side by a small explosion crater.
The youngest cone of the complex, Ngauruhoe, has grown to become the highest peak of the massif since its birth about 2500 years ago. The symmetrical, steep-sided Ngauruhoe, along with its neighbor Ruapehu to the south, have been New Zealand's most active volcanoes during historical time.

Tongariro Volcano Photos

Significant volcanic eruptions: Tongariro volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Tongariro has had at least 76 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 70 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
Additionally, there are 3 uncertain or discredited eruptions from Tongariro volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Tongariro volcano since around 1900. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Tongariro can be found on the news page of Tongariro volcano.
DateNoteVEIDeathsDamage
2012 Nov 21Upper Te Maari Craters
Historical obs./docs.
2
2012 Aug 6 - Aug 7Upper Te Maari Craters
Historical obs./docs.
2
1977 Jul 4Ngauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
1
1976 Aug 23 - Aug 28Ngauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
1
1975 Feb 12 - Feb 23Ngauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
3
1972 Nov 22 - 1974 Aug 19Ngauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
3
1972 Mar 19 - Jun 6Ngauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1969 Jan 21Ngauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1968 Aug 18Ngauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1962 May 24Ngauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1959 Jun 1Ngauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1958 Nov 5 - Nov 18 ?Ngauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1956 Jan 11 - Feb 11Ngauruhoe (south sub-crater)
Historical obs./docs.
2
1954 May 13 - 1955 Jun 25Ngauruhoe (south sub-crater)
Historical obs./docs.
3
1953 Dec 28 or beforeNgauruhoe (south sub-crater)
Historical obs./docs.
?
1952 Nov 29 - 1953 Jul 16 ±15 d.Ngauruhoe (south sub-crater)
Historical obs./docs.
2
1951 May 16 ±15 d.Ngauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1950 Jun 16Ngauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1949 Feb 9 - Mar 3Ngauruhoe (south sub-crater)
Historical obs./docs.
2
1948 SepNgauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1948 Apr 30 - MayNgauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1940 Sep - OctNgauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1939 AugNgauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1937 JanNgauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1934 Dec - 1935 FebNgauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1934 JunNgauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1931 Feb - MayNgauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1928 JulNgauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1928 Mar 3Ngauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1926 Dec 21 - Dec 30 ?Ngauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
?? 1927
Uncertain Eruption
1?
1926 Apr 16 - JunNgauruhoe and Red Crater
Historical obs./docs.
2
1925 Nov - DecNgauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1924 Oct - NovNgauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1924 May 22Ngauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1924 Jan 9 - Jan 30Ngauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1917 Oct - NovNgauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1914 Sep - OctNgauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1913 MayNgauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1913 JanNgauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1910 Oct - 1911 JanNgauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1910 JanNgauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1909 Mar - JulNgauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1907 NovNgauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1907 Feb - MayNgauruhoe (south sub-crater)
Historical obs./docs.
2
1906 MarNgauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1905Ngauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
1904 Nov 22Ngauruhoe
Historical obs./docs.
2
Remark:
Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Eruptions of Tongariro volcano



6 August 2012 eruption
A brief but violent phreatic eruption occurred at 23:50 local time on 6 August from new vents near the Te Mari crater of Tongariro.
The explosion followed several weeks of increased earthquakes under the volcano. It produced a 7 km tall ash plume and threw ballistic blocks of up to 1 m diameter to 1.5-2 km distance.

An interesting news article with eyewitness accounts and other information: First Tongariro eruption in over 100 years ...more info

Tongariro Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Tongariro volcano?

+How often does Tongariro volcano erupt?

+How active is Tongariro volcano at present?

+When was the largest eruption of Tongariro volcano?

Latest satellite images

Tongariro satellite image sat1Tongariro satellite image sat2

Tongariro Volcano Maps

Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Tongariro volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Tongariro volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Tongariro volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Tongariro volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Tongariro volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Tongariro volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Tongariro volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Tongariro volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Tongariro volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Tongariro volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Tongariro volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Tongariro volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Tongariro volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Tongariro volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Tongariro volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Tongariro volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Tongariro volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Tongariro volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Tongariro volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Tongariro volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (scale of few kilometers)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Tongariro volcano (scale of few kilometers)
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Sun, 23 Aug 2015, 11:05

Tongariro volcano (New Zealand): alert level lowered back to green

On 19 August GeoNet reported that activity at Tongariro's Te Maari Craters had declined significantly since the eruption in 2012, with data suggesting that unrest associated with the eruption was over. Read all
Wed, 19 Aug 2015, 06:00

Tongariro volcano (North Island, New Zealand) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 19 August-25 August 2015 (Continuing Activity)

On 19 August GeoNet reported that activity at Tongariro's Te Maari Craters had declined significantly since the eruption in 2012, with data suggesting that unrest associated with the eruption was over. The Volcanic Alert Level was lowered to 0 (on a scale of 0-5). The Volcanic Alert Level for Ngauruhoe is separate and had been lowered to 0 on 20 April. ... Read all

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