Rangipo Desert
Rangipo Desert
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The Rangipo Desert, with Mount Ngauruhoe and the Tongariro Massif in the background | |
| Coordinates: 39°18′43″S 175°40′30″E / 39.312°S 175.675°E | |
| Location | Ruapehu District, New Zealand |
| Part of | North Island Volcanic Plateau |
| Formed by | Volcanic eruptions and ashfall |
| Etymology | Te Onetapu translates from Māori as "The sacred sand", referencing the killing of Taiteariki. Rangipo translates as "Place where the sky is dark", referencing ash clouds from nearby volcanoes. |
| Defining authority | New Zealand Geographic Board |
| Area | |
| • Total | 100 km2 (40 sq mi) |
| Volcanic arc | Taupō Volcanic Zone |
| Topo map | NZTopo50-BJ35 306452 |
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Te Onetapu (Māori: [tɛˌɔnɛˈtaˌpʉ]), commonly known as the Rangipo Desert (Māori: [ˌɾaŋiˌpɔː]), is a barren desert-like environment located in New Zealand, located in the Ruapehu District on the North Island Volcanic Plateau; to the east of the three active peaks of Mount Tongariro, Mount Ngauruhoe, and Mount Ruapehu, and to the west of the Kaimanawa Range.