January 29 - February 27, 2025 New Zealand February 18

The journey continues over Wajouru, where we will visit the National Army Museum, then proceed to Tongariro National Park, visit the Mangawehro waterfall, and marvel at the volcanic crater in Tongariro.

The Tongariro massif consists of a collection of volcanic cones that have formed over the last 275,000 years. The most active craters are Te Māri, Emerald, North Crater, and Red Crater. The youngest cone of the Tongariro complex, Ngauruhoe, was formed 2,500 years ago and is today the highest point of Tongariro. The Ngauruhoe is often referred to as a standalone volcano, but geologically it belongs to the Tongariro complex.

On Tongariro, there are numerous fumaroles. The remnants with the scattered craters are the result of massive eruptions. Three of the crater lakes are called Emerald Lakes due to their vibrant colors.

Between 1855 and 1897, five eruptions of the volcano in the area of the Te Māri Crater were documented. A significant eruption accompanied by earthquakes formed the upper Te Māri Crater in 1869. The Māori at the time reported “bright red flames bursting through the smoke, as if the smoke was exploding and then falling to the ground like snow.” In 1892, Tongariro erupted again. This time the volcano spewed immense amounts of mud, rocks, and steam. The last eruption at the end of the 19th century occurred in November 1896. Until October 1897, the mountain remained active. Afterwards, the Te Māri Crater remained quiet until 2012.

After 115 years, the volcano erupted again on August 6, 2012, at the Te Māri Crater. Ash and glowing rock were observed being expelled.] Since then, the volcano has been considered active again and was set to alert level 2 of New Zealand's Volcanic Alert Levels. It erupted again on November 21, 2012.                                                                                                                          We continue our journey to Ohakune.