AUCKLAND SCENERY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22108, 14 May 1935, Page 14

AUCKLAND SCENERY

GEOLOGICAL INFLUENCE LECTURE AT UNIVERSITY The geological reasons for the variety of the scenery in and about Auckland were described by Mr. C. W. Firth at the University College last night, in the first of the Auckland Institute and Museum's winter series of lectures. Professor H. W. Segar, a member of the council of the institute, presided over a large audience. There were several well-defined types of formation near Auckland, the oldest rocks, dating from 100,000,000 years ago, being in the Clevedon and Maraetai areas, said the lecturer. It had to be remembered that the North Island, comparatively speaking, was much younger than the South Island, where some of the oldest rocks known to science existed. Mr. Firth referred especially to the volcanic formations which were a characteristic of Auckland. There were some 65 volcanic centres in and about Auckland, and they presented a variety. Lake Pupuke on the North Shore and the Panmure Basin represented what were known as explosion pits, while Rangitoto and Mount Eden were typical of another stage of volcanic development, with considerable lava flows. There were also simple volcanic cones in abundance. Extensive volcanic areas were also to be observed near Pukekohe and the Waitakeres, where the rugged aspect of the west coast presented a contrast in the main to the type of shore line to be observed on the Waitemata and a great part of the Manukau. By means of an interesting series of lantern slides the lecturer explained characteristic scenic views of Auckland in terms of geology, and dealt in particular with interesting faults in earth structure in the Papakura, Clevedon, Ardmore and Brookby districts.