Mount Taranaki, located on the North Island of New Zealand, is not only geologically significant but also holds cultural and legal importance. In 2017, the New Zealand government made history by granting Mount Taranaki legal personhood. With this unique status, the volcano was given the same legal rights as humans, highlighting its cultural and spiritual significance for the Māori people.
Rising to 8,261 feet, this mountain is a perfect volcanic cone, surrounded by the Egmont National Park. The volcano has a history of activity spanning over 135,000 years, with at least 16 significant changes in its structure. The volcano last erupted approximately 200 years ago, and scientists estimate that there is a 30 to 50 percent chance it could erupt again within the next 50 years.
