Well good morning friends. Today I'm over at Rangitoto Island about an hour offshore from Auckland out in the Hauraki Gulf. Auckland is on a bunch of extinct volcanoes, about fifty two of them. This one here at Rangitoto Island is the most recent volcano. It formed about six hundred years ago and erupted for about two hundred years before becoming extinct now. All the landform here is very recent with a rugged coastline as expected from a very new volcano. Just behind me there is the summit where I'm heading. I'm exploring the island with having most of the day here exploring it along some of the trails. It will be really interesting.
Well friends I've now made it up to the summit of Rangitoto. Behind me is the city and the harbour bridge, and directly in front of the city is Mount Victoria in Devonport where I climbed up the other day. It is a tiny little hill from here. There is a spectacular view all around the mountain here. It was a good view into the crater as well. I have now made it up to the 280 metre high summit. Now I need to head down and explore different parts of the island.
I've now come off the summit going around the top of the crater. Now I've got a view into the crater. Six hundred years ago this was where the volcano started. There were quite a few eruptions over a couple of hundred years and this is the crater it has left behind. This volcano is apparently extinct, so it is quite safe up here, and also on top of all the other hills around Auckland are safe. It's in the valleys where all the new volcanoes come up. They are expecting more volcanoes to come up here in Auckland at any time, and the next one will probably be a bit north of here up near the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. About every thousand years a new volcano comes up. Hopefully one won't come up anytime soon. Anyway here's looking into the crater.
Well friends I'm now inside the lava tube just underneath the summit of the mountain. It's heading down the mountain with the entrance up there. There's the tunnel going through the volcanic rock. It is very fascinating. I'm continuing my way down the mountain back towards the bottom.
Well friends I'm now back on the wharf having successfully climbed Mount Rangitoto on the island. It is a very peaceful island this one. It's hard to believe it's only a short distance from Auckland City over there. It has been a fantastic day out exploring in the hills having a bit of thought time.
I'm going to leave you here today before I catch the boat back to the very busy and crowded Auckland. Thanks friends for joining me again today. I'll catch you somewhere else around here tomorrow. Until then, ciao for now.
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