 |
 | Rainbow and Cascade Terrace. |
One of three fault scarps you will see,
formed by a massive earthquake in 131AD,
the time when the worlds greatest
known Volcano, Lake Taupo was last erupting.
You will see unbelievable colours formed by the algae growing in
temperatures up to 60'C.
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| Golden Fleece Terrace. |
Called 'Te Kapua" (The Cloud) by the Maori's,
it Stands 5m high and is 40m long. It is the third of the fault scarps
formed in 131AD. To the right, numerous Geysers
have erupted at the base. This area is extremely unpredictable,
and not to be ventured onto.
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| The Artist' Palette. |
Formed by hydrothermal eruptions between
8,000 and 14,000 BC, the Artist's Palette remains today one of the most dangerous
and unpredictable areas on the resort.
In places the Silica floor is only 20mm thick.
The large array of colours, marked by over 120 crystal clear blue pools, transform the
awesome area into an unimaginable beauty,
aptly named The Artist Palette. |
| Ruatapu Cave. |
The introduction photo above,
Sometimes called Aladdin's Cave, its origin uncertain, some suggest a
giant hydrothermal eruption, while others suggest a
Cave-in was the cause.
Waiwhakaata (Pool of Mirrors),
rests serenely at the bottom of the cave.
The pool's acidity and chemical
composition give it the unique ability to clean jewellery.
Just place your jewellery in the water
and leave it for about 5 minutes, rubbing occasionally with your fingers. |
 Hot Water algae growing in
temperatures of 60'c |
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| Mud Pools
|
As you walk through some of
New Zealand's lovely Pongas (tree ferns) and
beautiful native Bush,
the sound of boiling mud can be heard.
Mud pools form in places where the thermal
fluids have chemically decomposed the
surface rocks to form clay. This clay is heated by the underground
energy source and boiling mud pools
are created. |
| Soda Fountain. |
After laying dormant for 17 years,
the Soda Fountain suddenly refilled and
burst into life in 1984. Since then it has been active one day and
empty the next, no one knows exactly why. |
| Resort Lookout. |
The log cabin lodge looks minute
nestled beneath the proud volcanoes
that once spat fire and lava into the air and one wonders in awe,
that from such a turbulent past
is born such serene beauty. |
