Story: Historic volcanic activity

Kaharoa ash

Kaharoa ash

The thin white band in the centre of the photograph is ash deposited by the Kaharoa eruption of about 1314, exposed in peat at Waihī Beach, Bay of Plenty. The ash came from Mt Tarawera, and is widely distributed across the eastern and northern North Island. This layer is an important marker for archaeological studies because it approximately corresponds to the beginning of the human occupation of New Zealand.

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University of Waikato
Photograph by David J. Lowe

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How to cite this page:

Eileen McSaveney, Carol Stewart and Graham Leonard, 'Historic volcanic activity - Eruptions in early history', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/6826/kaharoa-ash (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Eileen McSaveney, Carol Stewart and Graham Leonard, published 12 Jun 2006