New Zealand’s Fascinating Geothermal Wonderland

Known as the country of the kiwibird and kiwifruit, New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean composed of the North and South Islands and several smaller islands. One of the country’s favorite tourist destination is Wai-O-Tapu, an active geothermal site north of the Taupu Volcanic Zone. The Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland has been a scenic reserve since 1931. The name Wai-O-Tapu is a Moari word meaning “Sacred Waters.”

Champagne Pool

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Champagne Pool is a hot spring with a name derived from the abundant efflux of carbon dioxide (CO2), similar to a glass of bubbling champagne. A hydrothermal eruption formed the spring about 700 years ago. The crater is around 65 m (210 ft) in diameter with a maximum depth of approximately 62 m (200 ft) and is filled with an estimated volume of 50,000 m3 (1,800,000 cu ft) of geothermal fluid. The waters contain quantities of gold, mercury, arsenic, sulfur and other metals and are deposited to form the ledge with bacteria making their home on it. These bacteria give it the vivid orange color.

Lady Knox Geyser

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Lady Knox Geyser is named after Lady Constance Knox, the second daughter of the 15th Governor of New Zealand. The geyser is induced to erupt at 10:15 every morning by dropping soap into the mouth of the vent producing a spurt of water reaching up to 20 m which can last for more than an hour.  To enhance the eruption, a visible spot made of rocks is placed around the base of the spring. Over the years the silica from the eruptions has built up giving it a white cone-shaped look.

Artist’s Palette

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Artist’s Palette is created by the overflowing geothermal water from the Champagne Pool hot spring. The water brings with it minerals from below the surface. As the waters cool and the minerals are exposed, they are revealed in a variety of colors at different points, depending on the water level and wind direction.

Boiling Mud Pools

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When New Zealand’s largest mud volcano was eroded by heavy rain in 1925, mud pools were created on the site. These pools create a variety of explosions as gases vents up through the mud.  It is a very active landscape with the formations becoming more fluid during rainy season and viscous during dry months.

Devil’s Bath

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This pool has a unique luminous color ranging from yellows to greens, depending on the amount of reflected light and cloud cover. The fascinating color of the pool is a result of excess water from the Champagne Pool mixing with sulphur and ferrous salts.

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