The Special Rotorua Experience: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland (1 of 2)

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• published: 10 Jul 2014
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THE CRATERS Well over a dozen craters are located in close proximity. They ranges from 5 to 50 metres in diameter and and up to 20 metres deep. All were formed by the ground surface collapsing. The most recent collapse was Thunder Crater in 1968. Many craters have various typed of geothermal activity including steam fumaroles, sulphur vents and bubbling pools. Here water temperatures can range up to 80C. Colours are introduced into the area by various oxides: - Purple: Manganese Oxide - Red/Brown: Iron Oxide - Yellow: Sulphur THE SHAKY ISLES New Zealand literally did rise from the sea millions of years when it was part of the landmass of the southern hemisphere known as Gondwana. The earth's crust is made up of a patchwork of interlocking plates which move independently like enormous ice flows. today New Zealand straddles the boundary between the Indian-Australasian Plates. Tremendous natural energy is released which results in many spectacular geological occurrences including mountain building earthquakes and volcanic activity. In the last 150 years, earthquakes in Wellington 1855, Murchison 1929, Napier 1931, Edgecumbe 1987 and Christchurch 2010 have resulted in marked land changes confirming New Zealand as "The Shaky Isles." THE TAUPO VOLCANIC ZONE The Taupo Volcanic Zone is generally recognised as one of the most active volcanic areas in the world. About 250km in length and 30 to 80km wide, the zone follows a north easterly direction. It is anchored to the south by the volcanoes Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu. At the northern end is White Island an active volcano 48km of the Bay of Plenty coast. Within the zone are 17 major hydrothermal fields, two of which contribute about 5% of New Zealand's total power supply. One of them, Ohaaki is visible on a clear day from No 11 on the Guide map. Wai-O-Tapu is right on the edge of one of four volcanic calderas within the zone. With the discovery of the sinter terrace forming from the Champagne Pool and the destruction of the Pink and White Terraces by the 10 June 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera, Wai-O-Tapu became known as "The New Zealand Wonderland." Wai-O-Tapu is the most active area associated with the surface of the larger Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Field. THE ARTISTS PALETTE - CHAMPAGNE POOL The main attraction at Wai-O-Tapu, is the large steaming hot spring, Champagne Pool. It is the largest of the hot water springs at Wai-O-Tapu. Earthquakes have tilted the spring, causing mineral laden water to flow over the sinter encrusted flat. This has become known as the Artist's Palette because of the trace mineral deposits that streak it's surface and which are distributed by direction of the wind. Colours seen are as follows: - Clear or blue coloured water: Alkali-chloride - Cloudy yellow/green water: Acid-sulphate - Orange: Antimony/Arsenic - Green/Yellow: Sulphur/Arsenic - Grey: Carbon The water from the Champagne Pool forms the Primrose Terrace seen to the left of the Boardwalk. The Champagne Pool occupies a 700 year old explosion crater formed by a hydro-thermal eruption. Material from that eruption can be seen at the top of the bank on the far side, it also forms the ground from which the viewing platform has been built, and is 62 metres deep. Water enters the pool through a deep conduit at a temperature of about 230C and cool within the pool to about 74C with a pH of 5.4, making is slightly acidic. As the water flows over the Artist's Palette towards the sinter terraces the temperature drops to about 15C and the pH increases to 7.6, making it slightly alkaline. The gas bubbles rising to the surface are carbon dioxide, the orange coloured edge contains arsenic and antimony sulphur compounds rich in minerals including gold and silver. THE EMBANKMENT BY CHAMPAGNE POOL (Seen in Part 2) The upper layer incorporates material ejected by the hydrothermal eruption which formed Champagne Pool about 700 years ago. The darker material below was ejected from the now submerged vents on the eastern side of Lake Taupo when they erupted in 181AD. It was the world's most violent eruption of the past 5000 years, the effects which were seen in the sky as far away as Europe and Chine. The eruption devastated an area now populated by over 200,000 people. During it's climax, ash and rock fragments moved at speeds estimated to be between 600 to 900 kph. A comparison is also made with the the Taupo Eruption 26,500 years ago which produced huge volumes of ash and other material that buried parts of the central North Island. LAKE NGAKORO You are rewarded by a unique view across the lake towards Mt Tauhara. This dormant volcano reaches 1088 metres above sea level and its name means "Alone or Isolated." It is sometimes also possible to see Mt Ruapehu. More Information: - http://www.waiotapu.co.nz/ Music: - Higgins: Beyond Stars Please "Like" my Page on Facebook: - http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Wonders-of-Nature-NZ/379039142140380