Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

The Wai-O-Tapu thermal area covers about 18 sq kilometres, and has the largest area of surfce thermal activity of any system within the Taupo volcanic zone.
It is a truly surreal place to visit, with collapsed craters, boiling mud pools, steaming water and fumaroles. With all the sulphurous emissions, it is also rather smelly!
Today's main shot is of the steaming 'champagne pool', so named because of the constant efflux of carbon dioxide gas, similar to a glass of bubbling champagne. The vibrant colors come from a rich deposition of minerals and silicate. The hot spring was formed 900 years ago by a hydrothermal eruption.


In today's extra we have the vivid green lake 'Puna o Ngakoro'.


A remarkable place to visit!