Rangitoto

Rangitoto is not only the youngest volcano in Auckland (600 years), but also the largest. Rangitoto’s mass is roughly the equivalent of all the previous eruptions combined. The island is a widely visible landmark of Auckland and formed in two eruption phases. The first (wet) phase was ~626 years ago, the second (dry) erupted ~577 years ago. Fire fountaining and lava flows built most of the land and cones visible today. Lava caves can be found throughout the island.