Taranaki Volcano, New Zealand
Image courtesy New Zealand Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (fair use policy)
Taranaki, also known as Mount Egmont, is a classic young stratocone on the North Island of New Zealand that last erupted in 1755. Only about 70,000 years old, it has grown tall and collapsed several times during that time span. Each time, its thick layers of ash and lava crumbled into thick, muddy avalanches called lahars. These spread out over large areas, even beyond the nearby sea shore, leaving hot muck behind as much as 100 meters thick.
Naturally, the Taranaki Regional Council authorities have prepared plans for the population around Taranaki. At present, the volcano is at "scientific alert level" zero, but you never know when this scenic area could become a hellish panorama.
