Takapuna Fossil Forest
Takapuna Fossil Forest | |
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Location | North Shore |
Nearest city | Auckland |
Coordinates | 36°47′01″S 174°46′38″E / 36.7835°S 174.7773°E |
The Takapuna Fossil Forest is a geographical feature located along the coastline between Takapuna Beach and Thorne Beach in Auckland, New Zealand. It consists of a series of basalt rock formations, which are the result of lava flows through an ancient forest.[1] It is believed to be New Zealand's most well-preserved fossil forest.[2]
Geography
The Takapuna Fossil Forest was once a coastal Kauri, Podocarp and Broadleaved forest in close proximity to the Pupuke Volcano (now a crater lake). At this time, the sea level was much lower than in the present day.[3]
Approximately 190,000 years ago, the Pupuke Volcano erupted. This eruption sent two distinct
The Takapuna Fossil Forest is now situated upon a reef.[4]
History
The formation, burial and re-erosion of the Takapuna Fossil Forest pre-date human arrival in New Zealand (based on Hayward's assessment that they have been exposed in the last 7,000 years).[4]
In the 1970s, prior to the Resource Management Act, a large portion of the Takapuna Fossil Forest was destroyed to facilitate the construction of a carpark and boat ramp.[7]
In 2006, works were carried out to fill in cavities within the fossil forest and its surrounding coastline. This was done to protect the coast from further erosion, as a sewerage pipe runs along the coastline and was at risk of collapsing causing pollution and damage to the fossil forest. A specific concrete was used to ensure that the infill matched its natural surroundings.[8]
In 2014, remnants of another fossil forest were uncovered on Takapuna Beach. These formations were believed to be older than the pre-existing Takapuna Fossil Forest.[9]
The Takapuna Fossil Forest was included within the 'Outstanding Natural Features' overlay in the Auckland Unitary Plan.[10]
Gallery
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Basalt cast of a tree trunk within the Takapuna Fossil Forest
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Arch formation within the Takapuna Fossil Forest
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Thornes Bay end of the Takapuna Fossil Forest
References
- ^ a b Hayward, J.J.; Hayward, B.W. (1995). "Fossil forests preserved in volcanic ash and lava at Ihumatao and Takapuna, Auckland". Tane. 35: 127–142.
- ^ OurAuckland. "Takapuna Beach home to ancient fossilised forest". OurAuckland. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
- ^ Anderson, Louise (2002). Takapuna-Milford Walk: North Shore City Heritage Trails (PDF) (Report). Auckland Transport. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ ISBN 9781776710492.
- ^ Hayward, B.W.; Geary, I (2017). Fossil highlights of Auckland (PDF). Annual Conference of the Geoscience Society of New Zealand. Auckland: Geoscience Society of New Zealand Miscellaneous Publication.
- ^ Allen, S.R.; Smith, I.E. (1991). "The lava flows north of Takapuna Beach". Tane. 33: 49–58.
- ^ Hayward, B.W. (2009). Lipps, J.H.; Granier, B.R.C. (eds.). PaleoParks - The Protection and conservation of fossil sites worldwide (PDF). Université de Bretagne occidentale Département des sciences de la terre. pp. 49–64.
- ^ "Protecting North Shore City's fossil forest". Scoop Media. 31 May 2006. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
- ^ Maude, Simon (29 May 2014). "Fossilised forest discovery excites walker". Stuff. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
- ^ "Auckland Unitary Plan Operative in Part - HTML PDF". unitaryplan.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Retrieved 28 November 2023.