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Postcard views of New Zealand Geysers


Today was going to be the start of nine days of visiting the thermal areas in and around Rotorua. That didn't happen, but here are a few old postcard views showing things that, for the most part, we wouldn't have seen anyhow.

Te Mimi-a-Homai-o-te-Rangi* Geyser, Orakeikorako

This feature, on the west bank of the Waikato River, now lives beneath the waters of Lake Ohakuri to the north of the ferry crossing over to the terraces. In the 1940s it erupted as frequently as every three hours to heights up to 24 meters (75ft).

Thermal activity near Rotomahana

This card has a postmark from 1905, so it is quite possible that it is showing activity from Waimangu.

Waimangu Geyser, Waimangu Valley.

A view copyrighted 1902.

Inferno Crater, Waimangu Valley

This feature is located about 50 meters to the northeast of where Waimangu was located. It currently has an approximate 38 day cycle of rising to overflow for a few days, then falling. It is also now surrounded by much thicker vegetation.

Wairoa Geyser, Whakarewarewa

This geyser has not been active in decades, but has at least shown signs of recovery since the shutdown of hot water wells in the area.

Wairoa Geyser and other features at Whakarewarewa

One of the features to the right is most likely Pohutu. There are several other features nearby, including Te Horu and Mahanga.

Geysers at Whakarewarewa.

From left to right, it looks like these are Kereru, Mahanga, Pohutu and Wairoa. The view is from the opposite direction of the preceding views, and now what one would first see upon entering through the gate. As with Inferno Crater, there is now a lot more vegetation in the area on the left.

The orifice of the Great Wairakei Geyser, NZ

All of the dozens of geysers in the Geyser Valley at Wairakei were destroyed when the power plants started back in the 1950s and 1960s.


* The name translates to "The urine from [Chief] Homai-te-rangi" [Lloyd, Geology and Hot Springs of Orakeikorako, NZ Bulletin #85, pg.59]. We need more names like this in Yellowstone.