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- Kermadec Islands
The Kermadec Islands comprise a remote volcanic arc located approximately 1000 km northeast of New Zealand’s North Island. This archipelago marks a segment of the Kermadec-Tonga subduction zone, where the Pacific Plate descends beneath the Australian Plate.
Geological Composition
The Kermadec Islands consist primarily of submarine volcanoes, with a few larger islands, including Raoul Island and Macauley Island, emerging above sea level. Eruptions along the arc have produced a range of volcanic rocks, from basalts to more silica-rich andesites and dacites.
Active Volcanism
The Kermadec Arc is a highly active volcanic region. Frequent submarine eruptions occur, and several of the emergent islands have experienced significant eruptions in the historical record. Raoul Island, in particular, is considered an active volcano and is monitored for signs of heightened unrest.
Volcanoes within Kermadec Islands: