One day, while Judy rested, Bob checked out the Craters of the
Moon just outside Lake Taupo. This was another geothermal area to
explore. Slide 2 Over 15-20 acres, a wooden walkway takes you
around steaming vents from the earth. Slide 3 Some of the
sulfur-crusted areas fall away and create deep pockets in the land.
Slide 4 Crusty brown lichens.Small vent hole in ground. Dead tree
stump rotting.Small fern plants trying to stay alive. Slide 5 This
deep sink hole had lots of steam coming from vents below. When the
steam dies out, the new plant life thrives. Slide 6 This was the
best area in the parka large hillside that had a boiling mud pot
cauldron below it. Slide 7 A gooey, muddy cauldron formed at the
base of the hill three shots on the right of sections of the muddy
pool. Slide 8 Nice evergreens on the hillside, just beyond the
steaming Craters of the Moon park. Looking down into a fallen area,
the steam subsides as vents close up and quit being active. Slide 9
The park was a hot walkand not as exciting as I had hoped. However,
it was interesting. Signs around the area provided some history.
Much of New Zealand (especially the North Island) is populated by
volcanic activity. There were some better parks with geysers and
spewing mud pools, but they were expensivethis was a very cheap way
to enjoy an afternoon.
