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Volcanoes of the Tongariro National Park, New Zealand

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Volcanic Tourist Destinations

Part of the book series: Geoheritage, Geoparks and Geotourism ((GGAG))

Abstract

The volcanoes of Tongariro National Park (TNP) are located in the central North Island of New Zealand. Three active volcanoes, Ruapehu (2797 m), Ngauruhoe (2287 m) and Tongariro (1967 m) (Figs.12.1a–c, and 12.2) and several smaller extinct cones comprise the Tongariro Volcanic Centre most of which lies within the national park. The park is 300 km south of Auckland and 300 km north of Wellington with state highways and the main railway giving easy access. Ohakune and Turangi are the two largest towns at the boundaries of the park while Whakapapa Village lies inside the park on the lower slopes of Mt Ruapehu.

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Acknowlegments

We thank Gill Jolly, Steve Sherburn, Bruce Christenson, Nico Fournier, Graham Leonard, Art Jolly, Karen Britten, Agnes Mazot, Mark Chadwick, Brad Scott and other scientists from GNS Science for their great support over the years, particularly during periods of volcanic activity, enhanced unrest or uncertainty. Thanks also to Shane Cronin, Jon Procter, Gert Lube, Eric Breard and others from Massey University, and Hugh Cowan from EQC. We also thank Paul Green, Blake McDavitt and many others from the Department of Conservation, Dave Mazey, Andy Hoyle, Mark Woods, Steve McGill, Steve Manunui and Mark Blair from Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, Keith Wood from Ngati Rangi and Ernslaw1, and Doug Tucker, Veti Bala, Phil Goulter, Gareth Grey and others from Genesis Energy. Sir Tumu Te Heuheu, Te Kanawa Pitiroi, Te Ngaehu and Hinemoa Wanikau from Ngati Tuwharetoa and Che Wilson and Hanna Rainforth from Ngati Rangi have also engaged with us constructively over the years. We are grateful to the NZ Army, NZ Transport Agency, Transpower, NZ Forest Managers, Kiwi Rail, Communication Networks Management Ltd, Cybernetics Ltd and Peter Otway for their support. Tim Stern from Victoria University and friends and colleagues allowed us to use the acknowledged maps, diagrams and photographs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Conservation and Fire and Ice Consultants, Turangi, New Zealand

    Harry Keys

  2. Department of Conservation and Fire and Ice Consultants, Taupo, New Zealand

    Karen Williams

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  1. Harry Keys
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Correspondence to Harry Keys .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. James Cook University, Cairns, Australia

    Patricia Erfurt-Cooper

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Keys, H., Williams, K. (2014). Volcanoes of the Tongariro National Park, New Zealand. In: Erfurt-Cooper, P. (eds) Volcanic Tourist Destinations. Geoheritage, Geoparks and Geotourism. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-16191-9_12

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