Taranaki Maunga, Active stratovolcano in Taranaki, New Zealand
Taranaki Maunga is a stratovolcano in the Taranaki region on New Zealand's North Island. Its symmetrical cone rises 2,518 meters (8,261 feet) high and is often covered in snow, with dense forests wrapping around its lower slopes.
Captain James Cook first sighted the mountain in 1770 and named it Mount Egmont after a British nobleman. European settlers reached the area later and the volcano became the center of a growing region.
The name Taranaki comes from the Māori language and refers to both the volcano and the region around it. Visitors often see local communities treating it as a sacred peak and using its surroundings for cultural events and ceremonies.
The national park around the volcano offers marked trails ranging from short walks to multi-day climbs. Winter skiing is available on the eastern side, and a small mountain hut provides overnight shelter for experienced climbers.
Scientists estimate the chance of an eruption within the next 50 years at 30 to 50 percent. This forecast affects more than 110,000 residents living in the surrounding communities.
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