Art, Lore and Legend

Published 2008-06-15 by Chris

Although the theme for this month’s edition of the Accretionary Wedge was “aesthetic geology”, I thought I’d take a different approach to things. Rather than take the tact of presenting geological-inspired visual art, I thought I’d relay the visually amazing (in the mind’s eye) Maori legend of Taranaki, and why it is where it is. I’ve talked about Taranaki in a previous Accretionary Wedge “Things that make you go hmmmm“, it’s definately an oddly positioned volcano. But this time I’m going to talk about the local native lore surrounding it. A lore we were all reminded of by one lecturer during our 3rd year volcanology filed trip, as well as being reminded of the grade “F” were we to use the story to explain Taranaki in an exam situation.

Pictures and maps of all the volcanoes involved as well as links to more information will follow my retelling. My colloquial version of the Maori Legend for how Taranaki got where it is goes a little something like this:

Te Maunga o Taranaki (Mount Taranaki) once lived in the Central Plateau with the other volcanoes Ngarauhoe, Ruapehu and Tongariro. No doubt they often caught up and played cards with Taupo, Rotorua, Tarawera, and the countless other subariel volcanoes in the area and all was well and merriment ensued. However, the drop-dead gorgeous maiden Pihanga, also a shield volcano, had caught the eye of all the mountain gods (the large mountains) and they were all deeply in love with her (suckers!).

Going by the legend, she was quite something, draped in her green cloak of forest. Peace predictably didn’t last, as the unspoken volcanic law of not letting on who you’re hot for was broken by Taranaki as he made an advance old super-lovely Pihanga. This was quite extraordinary, and Tongariro got pretty angered. So annoyed was he, that a battle ensued between the two mountains (can you imagine that!? Holy crap that’d be awesome to watch!), and the earth itself shook, trembled and ruptured as the two gods battled, darkening the skies with ash.

When the dust settled (well, ash, pyroclastic flows, lava flows, lahars, collapsed ash columns, you name it), Tongariro, reduced in size greatly due to the engagement, stood close to Pihanga. Basically in volcanic terms, that meant the two were shaking up. Taranaki was quite annoyed and bitter that things hadn’t worked out his way. Tearing himself from his very roots, he left his home, running towards the setting sun to the location he now sits. Along the way his mumbling and grumbling gouged out the Whananui River and the Pouakai Ranges, which remains a barrier between Taranaki and the Central Plateau.

The frequent cloud cover over Taranaki is said to symbolise the mountain weeping for his lost love. In human terms, Taranaki is either a hopeless romantic or far too emo for anyone’s good.

Here’s a google map of the area with the volcanoes of interest mapped out:

View Larger Map

Here’s a few photos and paintings of Taranaki and co., just to help enhance the art theme:

[Show as slideshow]

Wikipedia links to information on the mountains in question:

• Tongariro,
• Taranaki,
• Pihanga

And finally, I’d just like to extend my congratulations to the geoblogosphere for reaching double figures in issues of its carnival. Next up: the Accretionary Wedge’s first birthday on the publishing of number 12 in August.

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