Banks Peninsula Volcano
The Banks Peninsula Volcano is an extinct volcanic complex to the east of Christchurch on New Zealand's South Island. While the volcano is highly eroded it still forms the majority of Banks Peninsula with a highest point of 919 m (3,015 ft). It is a composite of two main eruptive centres one originating at Lyttelton Harbour, the other at Akaroa Harbour. The eruptions were predominantly basaltic, with associated andesite and trachytes, with minor rhyolite. The volcanic activity occurred in the Late Miocene and possibly extended into the Early Pliocene. There are four volcanic groups, all of which are within the Māui Supergroup. The Christchurch earthquakes led to rumors of a possible eruption, however, there is no known magma chamber beneath the volcano and there has not been any sign of volcanic activity in the last 5 million years.
| Banks Peninsula Volcano | |
|---|---|
| Stratigraphic range: | |
Banks Peninsula with Akaroa Harbour (West, Lower) and Lyttelton Harbour (East, Upper) | |
| Type | Volcanic Complex |
| Sub-units | Diamond Harbour Volcanic Group, Mount Herbert Volcanic Group, Akaroa Volcanic Group, Lyttelton Volcanic Group |
| Overlies | Torlesse Composite Terrane and Mount Somers Volcanics |
| Thickness | Originally c.1500m |
| Lithology | |
| Primary | Basalt |
| Other | Andesite, trachytes and rhyolite |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 43°44′58″S 172°52′10″E |