Auckland is the only city in the world built on a basaltic volcanic field that is still active.
Mount Wellington, a 135 metre volcanic peak, located 10 kilometres southeast of the city centre.
Photo credit: GNS Science
Fortunately, Aucklands volcanoes are small in comparison to most of the worlds volcanoes.
Most of the volcanoes in Auckland are small cones less than 150 meters in height.
These grew by eruptions, which lasted only a few months or possibly a few years.
Because of this, it is impossible to predict where the next one will strike.
Aucklands volcanoes are located all within about 20 km of the city centre.
you’ve got the option to spot them dotted across the region as small hills.
Some of the craters have filled with water and formed lakes and basins.
Many of the volcanic cones were previous sites of Maori settlement and traces of terracing are still visible.
A large number of them have been levelled by quarrying, others have become public parks.
Since 1915, the cones are protected under law.
