Multi-colored Bridal Veil Falls were formed from silica terraces created when mineralized water poured over from the Primrose Pool of the Wai-O-Tapu thermal area. The noted hydrothermal area lies within the 10-km-wide Reporoa caldera, which was formed during the Pleistocene in the Reporoa-Broadlands basin near the western margin of the Taupo volcanic zone. Large hydrothermal explosions took place from the Wai-O-Tapu thermal area at the time of the Kaharoa eruption of neighboring Tarawera volcano (Okataina Volcanic Centre) about 700 years ago.

Photo by Richard Wysoczanski, 1994 (Smithsonian Institution).

This image is made available under the Public Domain Dedication CC0 license, but proper attribution is appreciated.

Galleries: Geothermal Features

Keywords: mineral deposit | geothermal

Reporoa