Pohutu Geyser and sulfuric plateau at Te Puia – Rotorua

PHOTO GALLERY:

Dramatic Geothermal Earth at Rotorua, New Zealand

New Zealand is solidly situated on the great Pacific Rim of Fire, a geothermal hot zone that produces volcanoes, earthquakes and all sorts of strange geothermal activities on the Earth’s surface.

In New Zealand a large & active geothermal zone rears its head in the center of the North Island. Beginning with three occasionally active volcanoes in Tongariro National Park, the zone passes northeastward through Taupo and Rotorua then on to the Pacific Coast and the steaming offshore island called White Island.

Rotorua is the epicenter of this dramatic region. Shooting geysers, bubbling mud pools, boiling ponds, steaming rivers, bubbling froth and bright sulfuric deposits mark the area, drawing thousands of visitors to see Earth’s strange handiwork.

Pohutu Geyser erupting at Te Puia

Rotorua town offers Kuirau Public Park free to visitors. The large leafy park is full of minor mud pools, sulfuric deposits, steaming ponds, bubbling froth and hot pools for foot soaking. It’s a great introduction to the area’s geothermal acitivity.

Lake Rotorua also has a hot zone along its shores, located near Rotorua Museum. Steam, discolored ground, moon-like shoreline, bubbling water can be seen from a lakeside walkway.

More dramatic geothermal activity can be seen at several privately-owned geothermal areas. Most are owned an operated by local Maori citizens. They’re all quite expensive to visit, but certainly visually exciting and unique.

I was fortunate to tour amazing Te Puia geothermal valley, located on the edge of Rotorua town. Te Puia is home of famous Pohutu Geyser, one of the region’s most dramatic and faithful geysers, which erupts 2-3 times every hour.

Please enjoy these 18 images of Rotorua’s unique geothermal activity – from my recent visit.

See Photos of Geothermal Earth at Rotorua

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