Mountain of Eden EarthCache
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This is the highest point in the Auckland CBD. There is easy access on foot from the base of the Hill. Now also there is a Virtual Munzee here too.
Mt Eden
Maunga-whau (Maori name)
Mt Eden is one of Auckland's most famous landmarks. As the highest volcano on the Auckland isthmus it provides good views over the city and the Waitemata Harbour. Close to the centre of the city, Mt Eden is a constant reminder that Auckland is situated on a potentially active volcanic field. The Auckland volcanic field is comprised of monogenetic volcanoes. This means it is unlikely that Mt Eden or any of the existing volcanoes will erupt again. The next eruption will probably occur in a new location.
Drive or climb up to the summit for expansive views over the city and the harbour beyond. Access to Mount Eden is via Mount Eden Road in Mount Eden.
Use and value
Occupation terraces (as shown opposite), storage pits and house sites are evidence of former Maori settlement. They have sculpted the natural form of the cones. Residential areas of the city now cover the extensive lower slopes of the volcano. The large crater is known as Te Ipu a Mataahou (the food bowl of Mataahou, the Maori god. Maungawhau was one of the most important centres of Maori occupation in Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland Isthmus). Maori lived there from the earliest times (about 800 years ago) up until the 1700s when the pa (fortification) was abandoned.
In 1840 the cone was one of 3 boundary points marking the original land purchase for Auckland: it was named Mt Eden after George Eden (Lord Auckland). Some of Auckland's older buildings and most of the basalt kerb stones that line the city streets were constructed using dressed stone quarried from lava flows at Mt Eden. These quarries were operated for many years, but had closed down by 1928.
Groundwater soaks through Mt Eden's porous basaltic lava flows and resurfaces at Western Springs. The resulting lake was used as one of Auckland's earliest public water supplies between 1877 and 1910. Following water shortages in 1994 the groundwater supply was investigated as a potential emergency resource.
The summit is used as a key lookout point. Mt Eden is a popular park and key stop on Auckland tourist routes. The cone complex is protected as both an archaeological and a geological feature in the Auckland City Isthmus District Plan.
Key facts
Maori name: Maungawhau, 'Hill of the Whau Tree'.
Location: Auckland City, map reference NZMS 260: R11/677790.
Height: 196m.
Age: Formed 20,000-30,000 years ago.
Volume lava: 162 million cubic metres (equivalent to 32,400 Olympic sized swimming pools).
To claim this cache:
There is a large depression near the rim of the crater just North of the large lookout at:
S 36.52.649 E174.45.915. This was possibly a remnant of the Maori Pa.
What is the length of that depression?
Why should you not enter the crater its self?
How far is Mt Eden from Los Angeles?
What is the Geodetic Survey Mark Code under the Trig Station?
All this information is available on site.
Please email the Developer "Zork V" with your answers, please do NOT add to your logs.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)