Description
Tauanui is a 351 m (1,152 ft) high basaltic scoria cone in the Kaikohe-Bay of Islands volcanic field in New Zealand. It is the youngest volcano of the southern part of the field, having erupted around 60,000 years ago, and also the southernmost of the group. South east of the scoria cone is Lake Tauanui. To the north west of Tauanui is a smaller scoria cone, Hangunui Pā. To their north are the rhyolitic Putahi and the andersitic Tarahi volcanoes.
"In the last half-million years, 12 small basalt volcanoes have erupted in the southern part of the field (Smith
et al. 1993), forming a cluster of scoria cones around Kaikohe. Te Puke volcano erupted in the hills
behind Waitangi 100 000 years ago, forming three small cones and a spreading flow that now underlies
Waitangi golf course and treaty grounds. The youngest volcano is Tauanui, 10 km south of Kaikohe, which
60 000 years ago produced a high scoria cone and a lava flow that flowed 19 km down the Taheke Valley
towards the Hokianga Harbour. The field includes a small rhyolite dome (Putahi), overlooking Lake
Omapere. The field should still be considered dormant, and not extinct."
Via public road(s):
Unnamed Road(s), Orakau Road, Matene Road, Mangakahia Road, Picadilly Road
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