How Many Volcanoes Does Auckland Have?
Auckland sits on the Auckland Volcanic Field, which contains around 53 volcanic centres spread across roughly 360 square kilometres. It is one of the only major cities in the world built on an active volcanic field.
How many volcanoes does Auckland have?
The commonly cited figure is around 53 volcanic centres. The exact number varies between sources depending on how a centre is counted and how much quarrying has erased, with some references putting it closer to 48. What is not disputed is that the cones, craters and lakes you see across the city are all part of one connected volcanic field.
Are Auckland's volcanoes still active?
Each individual cone is considered dormant or extinct and is not expected to erupt again. The field is monogenetic, which means magma finds a new path to the surface each time rather than reusing an old vent. The field as a whole is still active, so a future eruption would build a brand new volcano at a new location rather than reviving an old one.
What is the youngest volcano in Auckland?
Rangitoto Island is the youngest and largest. It formed in eruptions around 600 years ago, within the memory of Māori living nearby, and produced roughly as much lava as all the other Auckland volcanoes combined. Its symmetrical cone is now one of the city's defining landmarks.
Which volcanoes can you still visit?
Many survive as parks and reserves. Maungawhau (Mount Eden), Maungakiekie (One Tree Hill), North Head and Mount Victoria in Devonport, and Rangitoto Island are all accessible and walkable. Others, like Mount Smart, were largely quarried away for scoria and basalt before protections came in.
See the whole field, cone by cone
A field guide to every volcano in the Auckland Volcanic Field, with history, walking routes and viewpoints. Works offline.
Explore Volcanic AKL