THERMAL ACTIVITY

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1933, Page 7

THERMAL ACTIVITY

IN THE WHAKAREWAREWA AREA/. NEW TERRACE FORMATION. ROTORUA, Nov. 17. The formation of a' new coloured , terrace has bee U i taking place during the past twenty months at the thermal area of Whakarewarewa .and in time it will be, an added attraction. The formation is the result of the activity of the Waikorohihi Geyser, which ha>s played almost continuously lor nearly • two years. j This ( geyser is near the Boiling •Cauldron and the Pohutu Geyser, and as the boiling water which is shot up falls upon a flat rock surface, and f10w, 5 1 to lower levels, it'loaves .a silica deposit which varies in colour from grey J to orange. This deposit is gradually forming a. terrace which even at its present stage looks very beautiful, especially when the sun shines upon it, giving it an iridescent glow. Waij korohilii, prior to its present activity, J used to play for .a few months and then remain quiet for long periods. The largest active geyser at Whakare. warewa at present i s the Waikite, which is situated on a foo-'hill of the Pohatunui Hill, from which a beautiful view of Rotorua and the lake may be obtained. This geyser throws up shots to a height of 50 feet at frequent intervals and the water icaveg a pure white silica deposit, I, n c ]ose proximity is the Pareai, a geyser which plays every seven or eight minutes, throwing up shots of boiling . water through a large split rock, > v Another geyser which -piays) -regularly is the Kereru, near the Prince of Wales Geyser, Kereru at one time w.as a geyser of some importance. The water from this geyser flows over a ledge of volcanic rock into the Paareriga Stream, and th e grey deposit has •formed silica stalactites on the edge of the rock, -which overhang the stream. . The Rapakura Geyser, situated in sylvan surroundings on the edg. e , of the bank of the Paarenga Stream, is one of the most interesting of the smaller .active geysers. It play s continuously, throwing shots to a height of 20ft., a nd no two successive g.hot B are thrown up in the same direction.

The famous Pohutu Geyser has been inactive since April, 1932, and it is considered that the activity of t'h e Waikorohihi gnd the Waikite, Geyeerg has taken the pressure from Pohutu.

Ajnother interesting feature of the thermal activity at Whakarewarewa is. that, steanl is being continuously emitted from the side, of the Pohatumi. Hill, which forms a background to the thermal -area. Although it is not clearly discernible when the weather i B fine the ste.3lll can be distinctly seen when the weather is cold or there is moislure in tlie.atmospheie.