A discontinuous Late Cenozoic vegetation record from a maar crater in Auckland, New Zealand

Abstract

Presented here are results of analyses of sediments from a maar crater at Matukutureia, south Auckland. The record is discontinuous, reflecting formation of peat on the tuff surface after the eruption. The tuff section of the profile (3-7 million years old) has pollen of numerous extinct taxa and suggests broad-leaf beech ( Brassospora ) forest with Casuarina and Agathis , and warm temperate conditions. A date of 15 051 ± 80 14 C yr BP from the base of the overlying peat provides a minimum date for the eruption of McLauchlins Hill volcano. We cannot determine the timing of early Polynesian activities.