In MÃÂori mythology, Rà «aumoko (also known as Rà «amoko) is the god of earthquakes, volcanoes and seasons. He is the youngest son of Ranginui (the Sky Father) and Papatà «ÃÂnuku (the Earth Mother). MÃÂori mythology attributes earthquakes and volcanic activity to his movements and actions within the earth. Rà «aumoko is believed to reside beneath the earth's surface, and his movements cause tremors and eruptions.
After Ranginui and Papatuanuku (the Sky Father and Earth Mother) were separated by their son TÃÂne Mahuta, Ranginui cried, and his tears drenched the land. To stop this, the sons decided to turn Papatuanuku face down, so Ranginui and Papatuanuku could no longer see each other's sorrow. Rà «aumoko was at his mother's breast when this happened, so he was carried into the world below. He was given fire for warmth by Tama-kaka, and his movements below the earth cause earthquakes and volcanoes. Another version tells that he remains in Papatuanuku's womb, with some variants saying it was to keep Papatuanuku company after her separation from Ranginui. In these versions, his movements in the womb cause earthquakes.
The earthquakes Rà «aumoko causes are in turn responsible for the change of seasons. Depending on the time of year, the earthquakes cause the warmth, or cold, of Papatuanuku to come to the surface of the land, resulting in the warming, or cooling of the Earth.
Rà «aumoko pulls on the ropes that control the land causing the shimmering effect of hot air, called haka of Tane-rore, and in some versions, earthquakes.
In some traditions, Rà «aumoko creates the Auckland volcanic field alongside his brother Mataaho, in retribution for a war between two rival tribes of patupaiarehe.
Ruaumoko Patera, named after this god, is one of many paterae (shallow craters) on Io, one of Jupiter's moons.