Red Crater, Tongariro

One of the youngest cones of Tongariro Volcano, Red Crater began erupting approximately 3,000 years ago and last erupted in the 1920’s. It’s main forms of activity are lava flows and explosive fire fountaining, producing spatter and scoria. Although Tongariro is mainly andesitic in composition, eruptions from this crater have been more basaltic. On the southern side of the crater is a vertical dyke that would have acted as a conduit for magma rising through the crust. It has since been drained of magma, leaving only the sides of this pipe system.

Around the sides of the crater are large, white blocks. Where do you think these could have come from and how did they get there?

What do you think causes the distinctive red and black colours of this crater?

As you continue along the track, either past Central Crater or South Crater, you will see dark thin lava flows draping into these valleys from Red Crater. Estimate the thickness of these flows. What is the surface texture? What does that suggest about their viscosity and flow rate?

Based on these observations, what sort of climatic environment do you think Red Crater erupted in?