Waimangu Volcanic Valley

Overview of Waimangu

Waimangu Volcanic Valley is in the forefront of the Tarawera mountain volcano which last erupted in 1886. That eruption destroyed all the vegetation and what had been a world-famous tourist attraction, the White and Pink Terraces. All the vegetation that we saw on our walk had grown up naturally since the eruption. The four kilometer walk descends from the visitor center to Lake Rotomahana. Fortunately, the entrance fee includes a shuttle bus to carry visitors back up the hill.

The southern crater

The Emerald Pool

The southern crater is about 50 meters deep. It has been dormant since the eruption. Today the ground around the crater is only warm and the water is cool.

The southern crater

Another overview of Waimangu

Frying Pan Lake was the result of an eruption in 1917 that destroyed an accommodation house and killed two people. At 38,000 square meters it is today the world's largest hot spring. Its acidic level is 3.5.

Frying Pan Lake

The crystal wall is an area of warm ground that grows sulfur crystals. They will be destroyed by rain of which there is quite a bit here. So they must be growing at a pretty fast rate.

The Crystal Wall

The streams runs continuously through the valley.
It cools as it descends from the more active volcanic vents.

The acidic water is conducive to algae growth providing a cacaphony of greens

A few boardwalks keep us above the danger areas. 

Clam shell spring

Water birds are common at the lower levels

The stream enters Lake Rotomahana

Canada Geese

Black Swan

We could take a boat ride on the lake at the end of the walk.

Stoats are one of the introduced animals killing local birds.
Traps and poisons are used to control and eliminate them.
Others include rats, weasels, possums, and cats.