The Chatham Islands |
 Geology: This informative board on the hill above Waitangi (the islands’ main town) contains a handy summary of the geological history of the Chatham Islands: “An early volcanic landmass existed … 80-85 million years ago. … The present landmass, gradually created by uplifting and volcanism, has been in place for 2-4 million years.” As Hamish Campbell and his co-author, Gerard Hutching, have said in their book, In Search of Ancient New Zealand: this volcano “is best referred to as the Chatham Volcano. It cannot be called Chatham Island Volcano because it was not an island then. … Chatham Volcano is [the continent of] Zealandia’s biggest volcano”. |