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Story: Rock, limestone and clay

Quarries (1st of 2)

Quarries

Auckland’s largest quarry, on Mt Wellington, has mined the lava flows of this volcanic mountain’s cone. More than 30 million tonnes of basalt have been blasted, dug up and crushed to form aggregate. Basalt has been used in the construction of many Auckland buildings and roads, but has resulted in the destruction of this and other volcanic cones.

About this item

GNS Science
Reference: CN18938/12
Photograph by Lloyd Homer

Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image

How to cite this page:

Carl Walrond. 'Rock, limestone and clay', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 2-Mar-09
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/rock-limestone-and-clay/2/6/1