In the early 20th century, more that 100 years ago, the Waimangu Valley near Rotorua was subject to a massive volcanic eruption which completely reshaped it, destroying all vegetation, some beautiful volcanic terraces, existing lakes and so on. We took a trip from the top of the valley to the bottom to examine what happened and what replaced the former landscape, and the current state of volcanic activity. It was a beautiful, mercifully supplemented by a bus bus ride back too the top to save us a long steep climb. Again, my pictures tell the story, interspersed with occasional comments of my own.
We start with an artist's impression of the valley after the eruption - shorn of all its vegetation and covered by layers of ash. Compare this to most of the remaining photos, typical of which is the second exhibit taken from the start of our descent. Dot, Bec and Max are seen peering over the now lust countryside. It's amazing how rapidly regeneration can occur.
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A now fairly quiescent crater lake close to the top of the valley.
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Another hotter and more active lake lower down, with steam gently arising from the surface.
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Fed in part by hot water channels emptying into it, depositing en route sulphur, and sometimes creating pretty crystalline surfaces as shown in following picture.
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As we went down, the landscape became wilder and more beautiful.
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The river flowing through the enveloping gorge would have been warm had we tested it - a micture of normal stream flow and hot water injected into it.
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Max admiring one of the several terraces now being re-established. Notice again the yellow hue.
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And here I am wondering if the railing I'm perched on is robust enough to prevent me falling on to the scalding surface below.
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After a short ascent we came to this wonderful crater lake with its iridescent blue water. It's known as Inferno Crater, so we can assume it always look like this!
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Hot water spouting from a vent, eventually forming yet another fairly smooth volcanic terrace - as evidenced by the next two photos.
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And all this water eventually flows into the lovely lake occupying the scene of the original devastation. It replaces several other lakes and some wonderfully coloured terraces that disappeared forever in that massive explosion a century or more ago. Now doubt nature is preparing for a re-run some time in the future. I wouldn't want to be around then.
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AS
We start with an artist's impression of the valley after the eruption - shorn of all its vegetation and covered by layers of ash. Compare this to most of the remaining photos, typical of which is the second exhibit taken from the start of our descent. Dot, Bec and Max are seen peering over the now lust countryside. It's amazing how rapidly regeneration can occur.
A now fairly quiescent crater lake close to the top of the valley.
Another hotter and more active lake lower down, with steam gently arising from the surface.
Fed in part by hot water channels emptying into it, depositing en route sulphur, and sometimes creating pretty crystalline surfaces as shown in following picture.
As we went down, the landscape became wilder and more beautiful.
The river flowing through the enveloping gorge would have been warm had we tested it - a micture of normal stream flow and hot water injected into it.
Max admiring one of the several terraces now being re-established. Notice again the yellow hue.
And here I am wondering if the railing I'm perched on is robust enough to prevent me falling on to the scalding surface below.
After a short ascent we came to this wonderful crater lake with its iridescent blue water. It's known as Inferno Crater, so we can assume it always look like this!
Hot water spouting from a vent, eventually forming yet another fairly smooth volcanic terrace - as evidenced by the next two photos.
And all this water eventually flows into the lovely lake occupying the scene of the original devastation. It replaces several other lakes and some wonderfully coloured terraces that disappeared forever in that massive explosion a century or more ago. Now doubt nature is preparing for a re-run some time in the future. I wouldn't want to be around then.
AS
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