Waimangu Volcanic Valley and Lake Rotomahana Boat Cruise
Earth & Environmental Science & Geography Study Tour
CURRICULUM CONTENT:
Earth & Environmental Science
Topic: - Dynamic Earth & Tectonic Impacts
Focus: Volcanic Activity, Natural Disasters
Geography Topic: - People and Economic Activity
Focus: Ecotourism, Impacts of tourism on the environment.
LESSON FOCUS AND TOUR OUTLINE
Introduction:
- An overview of the formation of Waimangu Volcanic Valley thermal area.
- A description of the volcanic process that gave rise to the volcanic and thermal activity in the valley.
Educational Valley Tour and Lake Rotomahana Boat Cruise:
Students will walk through the craters of Waimangu Volcanic Valley, in the Rotorua region of New Zealand, the only geothermal system in the world where the exact day of commencement of surface activity is known, namely 10th June 1886.
Several endangered plants exist beside the geothermal activity together with a host of thermally adapted plants. Waimangu and Lake Rotomahana are internationally important, as the only current New Zealand example of a bio-system re-establishing in an area following complete devastation. Waimangu is protected today as a Scenic Reserve and wildlife refuge.
During this educational study tour students will be given the opportunity to view the wide range of thermally adapted plants and micro-organisms.
Waimangu is also home to a range of introduced and native birds and animals.
Education Guides will give explanations of Waimangu Volcanic Valley's unique flora & fauna, why it is an A Graded Scenic Reserve and as such is protected by New Zealand's Department of Conservation.
Other key features that will be explored during the educational tours include the Frying Pan Lake - the world's largest hot water spring, and the Inferno Crater - the world's largest geyser-like feature.
Waimangu’s commitment to sustainable management and ecotourism will also be featured. Students will survey the work that this organization has done to achieve award success and ultimately achieve their vision.
Resources:
Guide Maps
Study Sheets are available upon request (also available in Japanese)
Contact Trudi Sturt at nature@waimangu.co.nz
