Global Volcanism Program | Tuhua/Mayor Island

The Global Volcanism Program has no activity reports available for Tuhua/Mayor Island.

The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Tuhua/Mayor Island.

The Global Volcanism Program has no Bulletin Reports available for Tuhua/Mayor Island.

Basic Data

Volcano Number

Last Known Eruption

Elevation

Latitude
Longitude

241021

5055 BCE

355 m / 1,165 ft

37.28°S
176.25°E

Morphology

Volcano Landform
Shield

Volcano Types
Shield
Caldera(s)
Lava dome(s)
Pyroclastic cone(s)

Rock Types

Major
Rhyolite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone
Continental crust (> 25 km)

Population

Within 5 km
Within 10 km
Within 30 km
Within 100 km

105
105
141
355,290

Geological Summary

The 4-km-wide Tuhua/Mayor Island, offshore of North Island in the Bay of Plenty, is the emergent portion of a 15-km-wide peralkaline shield volcano constructed between about 120,000 and 35,000 years ago. A 3-km-wide composite caldera was formed in two or three collapse events, the last of which took place about 6,300 years ago, and was accompanied by a Plinian eruption that produced tephra deposits up to 70 cm thick on the mainland. Post-caldera eruptions generated a series of lava domes and flows emplaced from NNE-trending vents within the caldera that have filled it to depths of at least 180 m. The latest eruption has not been dated, but was considered by Houghton et al. (1992) to have occurred perhaps only 500-1,000 years ago.

References

The following references have all been used during the compilation of data for this volcano, it is not a comprehensive bibliography.

Buck M D, 1985. An assessment of volcanic risk on and from Mayor Island, New Zealand. New Zeal J Geol Geophys, 28: 283-298.

Buck M D, Briggs R M, Nelson C S, 1981. Pyroclastic deposits and volcanic history of Mayor Island. New Zeal J Geol Geophys, 24: 449-468.

Ewart A, Taylor S R, Capp A C, 1968. Geochemistry of the pantellerites of Mayor Island, New Zealand. Contr Mineral Petr, 17: 116-140.

Gottsmann J, Dingwell D B, 2002. The thermal history of a spatterfed lava flow: the 8-ka pantellerite flow of Mayor Island, New Zealand. Bulletin of Volcanology, 64: 410-422.

Houghton B F, Weaver S D, Wilson C J N, Lanphere M A, 1992. Evolution of a Quaternary peralkaline volcano: Mayor Island, New Zealand. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 51: 217-236. https://doi.org/10.1016/0377-0273(92)90124-V

Houghton B F, Wilson C J N, 1986. Explosive rhyolite volcanism: the case studies of Mayor Island and Taupo volcanoes (Tour Guide A1). New Zeal Geol Surv Rec, 12: 33-100.

IAVCEI, 1973-80. Post-Miocene Volcanoes of the World. IAVCEI Data Sheets, Rome: Internatl Assoc Volc Chemistry Earth's Interior.

Lowe D J, Shane P A R, Allowayc B V, Newnham R M, 2008. Fingerprints and age models for widespread New Zealand tephra marker beds erupted since 30,000 years ago: a framework for NZ-INTIMATE. Quat Sci Rev.

Shane P, Sikes E L, Guilderson T P, 2006. Tephra beds in deep-sea cores off northern New Zealand: implications for the history of Taupo Volcanic Zone, Mayor Island and White Island volcanoes. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 154: 276-290.

Stevenson R J, Briggs R M, Hodder A P W, 1993. Emplacement history of a low-viscosity, fountain-fed pantelleritic lava flow. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 57: 39-56.

Wilson C J N, Houghton B F, Pillans B J, Weaver S D, 1995. Taupo Volcanic Zone calc-alkaline tephras on the peralkaline Mayor Island volcano, New Zealand: identification and uses as marker horizons. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 69: 303-311.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 2 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

5055 BCE ± 155 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive) VEI: 5

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

South end of caldera, Taratimi Bay

5055 BCE ± 155 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

The 6,340 ± 190 BP Tuhua Tephra was erupted during a Plinian eruption thought to be associated with the formation of caldera "C". Airfall deposits from this eruption occur on the mainland; pyroclastic flow and surge deposits are found on the island. The Ruru Pass Tephra, probably erupted from a E-W fissure at the south end of the caldera, is thought to mark the early stages of this eruption (Houghton and Wilson, 1986). The eruption was followed by a long quiescent period. Lowe et al. (2008) assigned a calibrated age of 7,005 ± 155 years BP.

List of 9 Events for Episode 1 at South end of caldera, Taratimi Bay

Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Phreatic activity
- - - -	- - - -	Pyroclastic flow
- - - -	- - - -	Ash
- - - -	- - - -	Lapilli
- - - -	- - - -	Blocks
- - - -	- - - -	Pumice
- - - -	- - - -	Caldera	Explosion
5060 BCE ± 200 years	- - - -	VEI (Explosivity Index)

6050 BCE ± 75 years Confirmed Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

Episode 1 | Eruption (Explosive / Effusive)

SE caldera rim

6050 BCE ± 75 years - Unknown

Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated)

A pumice fall unit ¹⁴C dated around 8,000 ± 70 BP was erupted from an intra-caldera vent. The eruption produced a spatter-fed lava flow that cascaded down both sides of the caldera "B" rim and reached the coast at Taratimi Bay. Deposits from this eruption are underlain by a thick soil, suggesting a preceding quiescent period of several thousand years. A major explosive phase thought to immediately precede deposition of a 9,000 BP Okataina tephra (Buck et al., 1981 and 1985) is now known to be from an earlier eruption (Houghton and Wilson, 1986).

List of 5 Events for Episode 1 at SE caldera rim

Start Date	End Date	Event Type	Event Remarks
- - - -	- - - -	Explosion
- - - -	- - - -	Lava fountains
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow
- - - -	- - - -	Lava flow	Entered water.
- - - -	- - - -	Lapilli

This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.

Synonyms

Tuhua

Cones

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Oira

Pyroclastic cone

Opo Bay

Tuff cone

Orongatea

Pyroclastic cone

Oturu

Pyroclastic cone

Ruamata

Pyroclastic cone

Taratimi

Tuff ring

Te Ananui

Tuff ring

Te Araaka

Tuff ring

Te Horo

Tuff ring

Te Kukuta

Vent

Te Paritu

Vent

Domes

Feature Name

Feature Type

Elevation

Latitude

Longitude

Tarewakoura

Dome

Photo Gallery

The caldera wall seen here is the N and E portion of the youngest Mayor Island caldera that formed about 6,300 years ago. The 2.2 x 2.5 km caldera floor is covered by young lava flows, the latest of which may have been erupted only about 500-1,000 years ago.

Photo by Jim Cole (University of Canterbury).

The caldera wall at the upper right was created during the youngest caldera-forming eruption of Mayor Island about 6,300 years ago. Major explosive eruptions at this time produced more than 1 km³ of tephra that deposited across the Bay of Plenty in the North Island. The 2.2 x 2.5 km wide caldera was subsequently partially filled by lava flows and domes, the latest of which may have been erupted as recently as 500-1,000 years ago.

Photo by Richard Waitt, 1986 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Mayor Island in the Bay of Plenty is seen here from the W. The low, 4-km-wide island, also known as Tuhua, is the summit of the broad 15-km-wide volcano. A 3-km-wide caldera formed during two or three collapse events, the latest of which followed a major explosive eruption about 6,300 years ago. Mayor Island was recognized as an active volcano only within the past two decades. Its latest eruption may have occurred only 500-1,000 years ago.

Photo by Malcolm Buck, 1980.

The eroded flank of Mayor Island (Tuhua) shows a sequence of overlapping columnar-jointed lava flows with black obsidian lavas between them.

Photo by Janine Krippner, 2007.

Mayor Island (Tuhua) is the top of a 700-m-high volcano with a 3-km-wide caldera forming much of the surface. Lava domes and flows have been emplaced across the island, with those seen here interbedded with obsidian layers.

Photo by Janine Krippner, 2007.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

The following 7 samples associated with this volcano can be found in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences collections, and may be availble for research (contact the Rock and Ore Collections Manager). Catalog number links will open a window with more information.

Catalog Number	Sample Description	Lava Source	Collection Date
NMNH 116210-1	Obsidian	--	--
NMNH 116210-2	Obsidian	--	--
NMNH 116210-3	Obsidian	--	--
NMNH 116418-5	Welded Tuff	--	--
NMNH 116418-6	Welded Tuff	--	--
NMNH 116418-7	Welded Tuff	--	--
NMNH 116418-8	Welded Tuff	--	--

External Sites

Copernicus Browser

The Copernicus Browser replaced the Sentinel Hub Playground browser in 2023, to provide access to Earth observation archives from the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, the main distribution platform for data from the EU Copernicus missions.

MIROVA

Middle InfraRed Observation of Volcanic Activity (MIROVA) is a near real time volcanic hot-spot detection system based on the analysis of MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data. In particular, MIROVA uses the Middle InfraRed Radiation (MIR), measured over target volcanoes, in order to detect, locate and measure the heat radiation sourced from volcanic activity.

MODVOLC Thermal Alerts

Using infrared satellite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, scientists at the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i, developed an automated system called MODVOLC to map thermal hot-spots in near real time. For each MODIS image, the algorithm automatically scans each 1 km pixel within it to check for high-temperature hot-spots. When one is found the date, time, location, and intensity are recorded. MODIS looks at every square km of the Earth every 48 hours, once during the day and once during the night, and the presence of two MODIS sensors in space allows at least four hot-spot observations every two days. Each day updated global maps are compiled to display the locations of all hot spots detected in the previous 24 hours. There is a drop-down list with volcano names which allow users to 'zoom-in' and examine the distribution of hot-spots at a variety of spatial scales.

WOVOdat
   Single Volcano View
   Temporal Evolution of Unrest
   Side by Side Volcanoes

WOVOdat is a database of volcanic unrest; instrumentally and visually recorded changes in seismicity, ground deformation, gas emission, and other parameters from their normal baselines. It is sponsored by the World Organization of Volcano Observatories (WOVO) and presently hosted at the Earth Observatory of Singapore.

GVMID Data on Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure The Global Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure Database GVMID, is aimed at documenting and improving capabilities of volcano monitoring from the ground and space. GVMID should provide a snapshot and baseline view of the techniques and instrumentation that are in place at various volcanoes, which can be use by volcano observatories as reference to setup new monitoring system or improving networks at a specific volcano. These data will allow identification of what monitoring gaps exist, which can be then targeted by remote sensing infrastructure and future instrument deployments.

Volcanic Hazard Maps

The IAVCEI Commission on Volcanic Hazards and Risk has a Volcanic Hazard Maps database designed to serve as a resource for hazard mappers (or other interested parties) to explore how common issues in hazard map development have been addressed at different volcanoes, in different countries, for different hazards, and for different intended audiences. In addition to the comprehensive, searchable Volcanic Hazard Maps Database, this website contains information about diversity of volcanic hazard maps, illustrated using examples from the database. This site is for educational purposes related to volcanic hazard maps. Hazard maps found on this website should not be used for emergency purposes. For the most recent, official hazard map for a particular volcano, please seek out the proper institutional authorities on the matter.

IRIS seismic stations/networks

Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) Data Services map showing the location of seismic stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 0.18° (about 20 km at mid-latitudes) from the given location of Tuhua/Mayor Island. Users can customize a variety of filters and options in the left panel. Note that if there are no stations are known the map will default to show the entire world with a "No data matched request" error notice.

UNAVCO GPS/GNSS stations

Geodetic Data Services map from UNAVCO showing the location of GPS/GNSS stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 20 km from the given location of Tuhua/Mayor Island. Users can customize the data search based on station or network names, location, and time window. Requires Adobe Flash Player.

DECADE Data

The DECADE portal, still in the developmental stage, serves as an example of the proposed interoperability between The Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program, the Mapping Gas Emissions (MaGa) Database, and the EarthChem Geochemical Portal. The Deep Earth Carbon Degassing (DECADE) initiative seeks to use new and established technologies to determine accurate global fluxes of volcanic CO₂ to the atmosphere, but installing CO₂ monitoring networks on 20 of the world's 150 most actively degassing volcanoes. The group uses related laboratory-based studies (direct gas sampling and analysis, melt inclusions) to provide new data for direct degassing of deep earth carbon to the atmosphere.

Large Eruptions of Tuhua/Mayor Island

Information about large Quaternary eruptions (VEI >= 4) is cataloged in the Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions (LaMEVE) database of the Volcano Global Risk Identification and Analysis Project (VOGRIPA).

EarthChem

EarthChem develops and maintains databases, software, and services that support the preservation, discovery, access and analysis of geochemical data, and facilitate their integration with the broad array of other available earth science parameters. EarthChem is operated by a joint team of disciplinary scientists, data scientists, data managers and information technology developers who are part of the NSF-funded data facility Integrated Earth Data Applications (IEDA). IEDA is a collaborative effort of EarthChem and the Marine Geoscience Data System (MGDS).