Auckland sits uniquely atop about 53 volcanoes. This volcanic field shapes the city's hills, craters, and lakes across roughly 360 square kilometers.

Volcano Count

Scientific consensus identifies 53 volcanic centers in the Auckland Volcanic Field, including scoria cones, maars, and tuff rings. Sources like GeoNet and GNS Science confirm this number, noting eruptions over 193,000 years from a deep magma pool—each at a new vent. Earlier estimates hovered around 50, but refined mapping (e.g., DEVORA project) raised it to 53, with some debate over "forgotten" or buried vents potentially pushing toward 55.

Source| Volcanoes Reported| Coverage Area
---|---|---
ScienceLearn 1| 50| 1,000 km²
GeoNet 3| 53| 360 km²
Wikipedia 7| ~53| Metropolitan Auckland
GNS Science 5| 53| Scattered across city

Formation Story

Picture Auckland as a sleepy giant: magma 70-90 km below occasionally punches through at random spots, unlike classic single-vent volcanoes like Mt. Taranaki. The youngest, Rangitoto Island, erupted just 600 years ago—geologically recent. Many cones (e.g., Mt. Eden) now host parks or quarries, blending nature with urban life.

Notable Volcanoes

  • Mt. Eden (Maungawhau) : Classic scoria cone, panoramic city views.
  • One Tree Hill (Maungakiekie) : Historic site with observatory remnants.
  • Rangitoto : Largest, accessible by ferry; lava fields and tracks.
  • Lake Pupuke : Submerged explosion crater in Takapuna.

Trending Context (Feb 2026)

No recent eruptions, but DEVORA studies highlight risks—low probability, high impact for NZ's biggest city. Forums buzz about hikes amid White Island alerts elsewhere in NZ.

TL;DR: 53 volcanoes underpin Auckland's landscape—no activity now, but monitoring continues.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.