| Whakamaru Caldera | |
|---|---|
 The approximate immediate impact of the Whakamaru Caldera (red shading) eruptions of about 335,000 years before present. Light white shading shows where 10cm or more tephra detected noting that for example 25cm tephra is found against prevailing wind patterns well to north west of present New Zealand and 10cm south east of Banks Peninsula suggesting multiple significant events contributed. Similarly the light yellow shading does not consider all discontinuities but rather assumes that most discontinuities are due to subsequent erosion rather than landforms of this long ago, which is likely incorrect, but from immediate biosphere impact likely not significantly so. It is possible that ultimately there was worldwide biosphere impact. | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 744 m (2,441 ft) |
| Coordinates | 38°25′S 175°48′E / 38.42°S 175.80°E |
| Dimensions | |
| Width | 40 kilometres (25 mi) |
| Geography | |
.png)  Whakamaru Caldera  Whakamaru Caldera Whakamaru Caldera (North Island) | |
| Geology | |
| Rock age | |
| Mountain type | Caldera |
| Volcanic arc/belt | Taupō Volcanic Zone |
| Last eruption | Hydrothermal eruptions are contemporary, last volcanic 14,000 years ago (Puketarata) |
Whakamaru Caldera was created in a massive supereruption 335,000 years ago and is approximately 30 by 40 km (19 by 25 mi) in size and is located in the North Island of New Zealand. It now contains active geothermal areas as well as the later Maroa Caldera.
- ^ Froggatt, P. C.; Nelson, C. S.; Carter, L.; Griggs, G.; Black, K. P. (13 February 1986). "An exceptionally large late Quaternary eruption from New Zealand". Nature. 319 (6054): 578–582. Bibcode:1986Natur.319..578F. doi:10.1038/319578a0. S2CID 4332421. Retrieved 2022-05-15.