Craters of the Moon. Wairakei. New Zealand.
S 38° 38.660 E 176° 04.315
60H E 419234 N 5722282
The Craters of the Moon is a thermal park near Taupo township and adjacent to the geothermal power station at Wairakei.
Waymark Code: WM4CTQ
Location: New Zealand
Date Posted: 08/06/2008
Views: 61
Bores drilled into the hot ground-water layer supply steam to drive generators in the Wairakei power station.
As a result of utilising the underground thermal energy in the Wairakei Valley, the Craters of the Moon started to appear from 1950.
This area used to contain light geothermal activity until the construction of Wairakei Geothermal Power Station, approximately 2000 metres north of the field. The power station lowered underground water levels and the fumaroles and mud pools became more active. There was less water to cool the magma and the ground cavity which was previously full of water is now full of high pressure sulphurous steam.
Vegetation growing beside the steam vents includes algae and plants demanding a warmer climate than Taupo provides, but they can survive in the hot, moist craters.
Access is via a signposted road, north of Taupo, turning off SH.1. opposite the Huka Falls Road. The co-ordinates take you to the carpark and park entrance.
A walking track along boardwalks takes you safely through the thermal area.
Visit Instructions:
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