Story: Geology – overview

Mt Eden (Maungawhau) is one of the most prominent volcanic cones remaining in the Auckland region. In the last of a number of eruptions about 15,000 years ago, three overlapping scoria cones became a single, huge scoria mound with a central crater. Lava flows extended out from the base of the mound, and in some places were more than 60 metres thick.

Maungawhau was a significant Māori pā, large enough to provide refuge for several hundred people.