Champagne Pool : Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
This image is included in a gallery "MIX_08" curated by Willie Sturges.
Wa-io-tapu is an active geothermal area at the southern end of the Okataina Volcanic Centre, just north of the Reporoa caldera, in New Zealand's Taupo Volcanic Zone. It is 27 kilometres south of Rotorua. Due to dramatic geothermal conditions beneath the earth, the area has many hot springs noted for their colourful appearance, in addition to the Lady Knox Geyser, Champagne Pool, Artist's Palette, Primrose Terrace and boiling mud pools. These can mostly be viewed through access by foot, and in addition to a paid and curated experience, naturally forming hot springs appear around the area. The geothermal area covers 18 square kilometres. Prior to European occupation the area was the homeland of the Ngati Whaoa tribe who descended from those on the Arawa waka.
Covering some 18 sq.km, with the volcanic dome of Mungakakaramea (Rainbow Mountain) at its northern boundary, the area is literally covered with collapsed craters, cold and boiling pools of mud, water and streaming fumaroles. The general public sees only a very small portion. The area is associated with volcanic activity dating back about 160,000 years and is located right on the edge of the largest volcanic caldera (depression) within the active Taupo Volcanic Zone.
The wide range of colours in the area are all natural and are due to different mineral elements, the predominant colours being :- Green (colloidal sulphur / ferrous salts), Orange (Antimony), Purple (Manganese oxide), White (Silica), Yellow-primrose (Sulphur), Red-brown (Iron oxide) and Black (Sulphur and carbon). (Sourced from offical wedsite)
Champagne Pool : Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
This image is included in a gallery "MIX_08" curated by Willie Sturges.
Wa-io-tapu is an active geothermal area at the southern end of the Okataina Volcanic Centre, just north of the Reporoa caldera, in New Zealand's Taupo Volcanic Zone. It is 27 kilometres south of Rotorua. Due to dramatic geothermal conditions beneath the earth, the area has many hot springs noted for their colourful appearance, in addition to the Lady Knox Geyser, Champagne Pool, Artist's Palette, Primrose Terrace and boiling mud pools. These can mostly be viewed through access by foot, and in addition to a paid and curated experience, naturally forming hot springs appear around the area. The geothermal area covers 18 square kilometres. Prior to European occupation the area was the homeland of the Ngati Whaoa tribe who descended from those on the Arawa waka.
Covering some 18 sq.km, with the volcanic dome of Mungakakaramea (Rainbow Mountain) at its northern boundary, the area is literally covered with collapsed craters, cold and boiling pools of mud, water and streaming fumaroles. The general public sees only a very small portion. The area is associated with volcanic activity dating back about 160,000 years and is located right on the edge of the largest volcanic caldera (depression) within the active Taupo Volcanic Zone.
The wide range of colours in the area are all natural and are due to different mineral elements, the predominant colours being :- Green (colloidal sulphur / ferrous salts), Orange (Antimony), Purple (Manganese oxide), White (Silica), Yellow-primrose (Sulphur), Red-brown (Iron oxide) and Black (Sulphur and carbon). (Sourced from offical wedsite)