Tongariro

Snow-capped Ngauruhoe is a small 2291-m-high stratovolcano that was constructed during the past 2500 years. The symmetrical volcano, seen here from the NE, rises 800 m above its surroundings and is the highest peak of the Tongariro volcanic center. Tongariro is a large andesitic volcanic massif, located immediately NE of Ruapehu volcano, that is comprised of more than a dozen composite cones. Frequent explosive eruptions have been recorded from Ngauruhoe since its first historical activity in 1839.