Ko Te Wao nui ā Tiriwa nga Maunga...
On Friday 21 February, the Year 13 Earth Science class went on a trip to Maukatia/ Māori Bay at Muriwai. We went to become geologists for the day by visiting volcanic features scattered throughout the Waitakere Ranges (Te Wao nui ā Tiriwa) and connecting with some of the land features that are part of the school's pepeha.
Because rocks can't talk, geologists have to search for clues hidden within them to solve very complicated puzzles. The puzzle that students had to solve is how a gigantic volcano formed much of the Muriwai area over the last 20 million years. Students identified pillow lavas in the cliff face, used geological principles and interpreted the fossils found. Highlights from the day included seeing geologists from the University of Auckland out studying the landscape, students sampling the taste of mudstone and seeing parasailing practice right above our heads. The students were awesome and gained a new appreciation for rocks. Now back in the classroom the research continues as they try and put the final pieces of the puzzle together.
Mr Ross Stephen, Earth & Space Science teacher
