Mount Taranaki, New Zealand
Mount Taranaki or Mount Egmont [1] is a dormant stratovolcano located in the Taranaki region on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island. The 2518-metre-high mountain is one of the most perfectly-shaped volcanic ash cones in the world. There is a secondary cone, Fanthams Peak, on the south side. Because of its resemblance to Mount Fuji, Taranaki provided the backdrop for the Tom Cruise movie The Last Samurai.
Mount Taranaki/Egmont is geologically young, having commenced activity approximately 135,000 years ago. The most recent volcanic activity was a moderate ash eruption which occurred about 1755, and the last major eruption occurred around 1655. Recent research has shown that minor eruptions have occurred roughly every 90 years on average, with major eruptions every 500 years, over the last 9000 years.
Mount Taranaki/Egmont is considered unusual in that it has experienced at least five of its major eruptions by the method of cone collapse. Few volcanoes have undergone more than one cone collapse. The vast volume of material involved in these collapses is reflected in the extensive ringplain surrounding the volcano. There is also evidence of lahars being a common result of eruption.
Much of the region is at risk from lahars, which have reached as far as the coast in the past. A volcanic event is unnecessary: even earthquake and heavy rain or snow could dislodge vast quantities of unstable layers resting on steep slopes. Many farmers live in the paths of such possible destructive events. Taranaki/Egmont is a relatively easy mountain to climb and many do so each summer. It takes a reasonably fit person a day to make the up-and-back climb. However, weather on the mountain can change rapidly, catching inexperienced trampers unawares.