Lava Flows and Lake Pupuke Drains

Lake Pupuke is in reality two surviving craters of an ancient volcano that began erupting over 40,000 years ago. During the early eruptions, massive amounts of lava flowed out of lava plumes and drained into Hauraki Gulf. Subsequent eruptions blasted the top off the volcano leaving an empty basin, which quickly filled with rainwater to produce Lake Pupuke. The lake is the only intact phreatomagmatic explosion crater remaining in the Auckland region.

The porous volcanic rock of Lake Pupuke is not entirely able to hold the lake's water, especially after a heavy rain. As a result, water trickles out of the lake on all sides through the rock, especially along Thorne Bay, where the lava flows remain exposed. In many places, terracotta, metal, concrete, and plastic drainage pipes have been installed to attempt to direct the flow of the lake water, but in other places, freshwater leaks out of the ground without restraint.

Continue walking along the esplanade.