• Waimangu World Significance

    World Significance

Waimangu World Significance

A completely natural and wholly protected eco system. The only geothermal system created within written history (the last 5000 years) and as a direct result of a volcanic eruption. A unique opportunity to understand Nature. World unique geothermal features. An amazingly diverse environment.

A unique opportunity to understand nature.

Waimangu is the only geothermal system in the World created within written history (the last 5000 years).

When the Tarawera Eruption at Waimangu and Rotomahana ended at 05.30am on 10 June 1886, the landscape had been significantly altered and all life had been extinguished.

This was the beginning of the new Ecosystem.

Because we can pin-point its creation to an exact time and event, it has been possible to exactly measure and record the re-establishment of the new Waimangu ecosystem since its birth.

Also, because of the area’s importance as a tourist attraction prior to the 1886 Eruption, a large volume of historical data exists that we can use to determine the causes and impacts of the 1886 Eruption.

Scientifically, these are very important opportunities.

Because of this importance, Waimangu and Rotomahana have been protected, from development or change brought by man, since its genesis at 05.30am on 10 June 1886.

As a result of the protection, the establishment of the Waimangu ecosystem has happened naturally. Today Waimangu is the only geothermal system in New Zealand that has not been altered by man’s activity.

 

The Geothermal System’s World and National Importance.

The Waimangu Geothermal aquifer is approximately 60 square kilometres in size and at a depth of approximately 2 to 3 kilometres within the Earth’s crust.

The only place where the hot springs, from the aquifer, come to the surface is within the Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley, which is a small Valley in the south west corner of the aquifer.

Several of the surface features at Waimangu are World significant particularly-

Inferno Crater, the World’s largest geyser-like feature.

Frying Pan Lake is one of the World’s largest hot water springs.

Silica terraces include unique Warbrick Terrace which is growing in a right-angle shape.

Numerous small geysers and hot springs.

There is a unique and unexplained relationship between Inferno Crater Geyser and Frying Pan Lake.

The pre-1886 eruption geothermal system still exists at Lake Rotomahana, beside the completely new post 1886 eruption geothermal system.

Tranquil Lake Rotomahana is within one of the most active volcanic craters in New Zealand.

Lake Rotomahana is the newest, large, naturally formed lake in New Zealand.

 

The Environmental Importance.

Waimangu and Rotomahana are the only examples of a New Zealand native forest that is naturally regenerating from complete devastation.

The re-establishment of plant life at Waimangu and Rotomahana has been completely natural.

The diverse environment at Waimangu supports a huge array of life.

All rare and unusual geothermally adapted plants known in New Zealand, live at Waimangu and Rotomahana.

An incredible diversity of microbes live in the hot areas.

A wide range of native forest plants flourish, attracting many different birds.

  • We stopped in for a quick coffee having seen the sign on the highway. The coffee was great and the quiche and muffin were fantastic. While eating we read the details of the Valley walk and decided to stay and see what it had to offer. Leave plenty of time, don’t rush it, we left at just after 10am and just caught the 1:10pm boat trip around the lake. What an unbelievable walk, really good information on both the brochure and on boards at…

    Andy
    Hatherleigh, United Kingdom

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  • We had a great trip here - very organised walk with lots of information and fascinating views of the craters. The boat trip on the lake was very relaxing and timed to allow us to catch the bus back up. We had a good lunch back at the…

    Penny
    Brisbane, Australia

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  • I hiked the whole of Waimangu Volcanic Valley down and back up again. It's located near Rotorua-where I didn't go because it's too touristy and overcrowded- and that place is just so impressive and wonderful to tramp through...fantastic vapor whirls on the magnificent colorful lakes...great ferns with thousands of different shades of green.....amazing viewpoints to look down into the valley...awesome hues of ever changing volcanic terraces in…

    Thomas Rhöse
    Google Review

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  • A must-go in Rotorua, where you'll explore a stunning scenery of ferns and volcanic rocks and…

    Simone
    Brasillia

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  • A peaceful quiet walk in the rain. We came here on a rainy day, as there wasn’t much else to do outside when in rains in Rotorua. Staff was nice and walked us through the bus stops and how everything worked there. We paid the additional $5 to rent a heat thermometer gun (not sure was the actual name of it is). It was cool to see how hot the water was getting with the temperature gauge. This was a good place to go when it rains. The walkway is…

    Spring
    Texas

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  • We were fortunate to visit when there were no crowds and walked the valley in almost complete isolation which added to the mysterious and prehistoric feel. Everywhere we turned was a feast for the eyes. Our teenage son only wished we could have spent more time there. If you appreciate nature, enjoy an easy hike, want to see something unique Waimangu is for…

    Dianna
    Tokyo, Japan

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