Which volcano formed the caldera now occupied by New Zealand’s Lake Taupō?

Taupō Volcano formed the caldera now occupied by New Zealand’s Lake Taupō.

The volcano is a large, mostly submerged caldera system in the North Island’s Taupō Volcanic Zone. Repeated explosive eruptions caused parts of the volcanic edifice to collapse, creating the broad depression that later filled with water.

Taupō’s most powerful known eruption was the Oruanui eruption about 25,400 years ago. It was one of the largest explosive eruptions on Earth during the past 70,000 years. A much smaller but still major eruption occurred around AD 232, known as the Hatepe eruption.

Lake Taupō is therefore not simply a conventional crater lake formed in one small summit crater. It occupies a huge caldera system, while several volcanic vents and geothermal areas occur around the lake and nearby towns. Taupō remains classified as an active volcano.