The Whakarewarewa thermal area, on the shore of Lake Rotorua, is New Zealand's best-known hydrothermal area, with over 500 hot springs. Whakarewarewa is the site of New Zealand's last-remaining active geyser field, and contains a full complement of other geothermal features, including hot pools, mud pots, fumaroles, and steaming ground. The principal geysers occur along a small fault; tests with dyes have shown that many of the main vents share a common underground source.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1986.

Copyrighted image used with permission. All Rights Reserved. Contact photographer for any usage requests.

Rotorua