Palaeomagnetism and chronology of the central Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand

The central Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ) of New Zealand is a region of intense Quaternary silicic volcanism, active since 1.6 Ma. We report palaeomagnetic measure-ments from 59 distinct volcanic units sampled at 98 sites in the TVZ. These are mainly rhyolitic ignimbrites and lava domes, with a few basaltic, andesitic, and dacitic lavas. Most have new K/Ar or 4oAr/39Ar ages. The remanent magnetizations are generally stable to both thermal and alternating-field demagnetization, and well-determined mean palaeodirections were obtained for all sites. Our findings suggest that the Taupo, Whakamaru, Maroa, Reporoa, Rotorua, and Okataina volcanic centres were magnetized during the Brunhes normal chron. Kapenga is an older volcanic centre, where activity commenced around 0.89 Ma and extended into the Brunhes. Mangakino volcanic centre is significantly older and was active from 1.6 to 0.95 Ma. Transitional or intermediate palaeodirections were obtained from Ahuroa ignimbrite (1.18 kO.02 Ma) and Mamaku ignimbrite (0.22k0.01 Ma). The former almost certainly corresponds to the Cobb Mountain Event. The latter is significantly older than th