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Geothermal Parks in New Zealand 327

hazardous areas. These areas include the mud pools
and geysers, and also places where the ground may
be unstable due to underlying geothermal activity.
These management practices, which are somewhat
comparable to that at Yellowstone National Park
in the United States, not only protect the tourists
but also the fine crystalline deposits that form
around many hot springs and provide much of
their attraction.
Violent hydrothermal explosions may occur at
geothermal sites. Over 90 such events have been
recorded around Rotorua City since 1845, yet
none have caused fatalities (Scott and Cody, 2000).
Such events seem to correlate to disturbances in
the geothermal systems, yet to what extent they
can be predicted is unclear. A massive 1915
hydrothermal explosion occurred at Echo crater
in the Waimangu Valley geothermal area in 1915
(Keam, n.d). While this was preceded by a series of
smaller eruptions the magnitude of the main
eruption, which blew the roof off the nearby
accommodation house and showered it with
boiling water and rocks, took everyone by surprise.
Two inhabitants of the house died of their injuries.
Nevertheless, such incidents are extremely rare.
Figure CS18.3 Lady Knox geyser, Wai-O-Tapu
geothermal area The situation at White Island is slightly
different. Guides accompany tourists at all times
Geothermal Wonderland, n.d.). The main site, and seismic activity is continuously monitored.
accessible via the visitor centre has 3km of paths Hence, it is unlikely that tourists would be allowed
taking the visitor past a large number of geothermal on the island if a major eruption was considered
features. Most notable is the multicoloured Artist’s imminent. Nevertheless, small phreatic eruptions
Palette and adjoining Primrose Sinter Terrace may occur with little warning (Cole, Nairn and
which is fed with water from the large Champagne Houghton, n.d.). Further, crater wall instability
Pool. This hot pool gains its name from the carbon may present a hazard. In 1914, a landslide occurred
dioxide bubbles that constantly rise to the surface. inside the crater, which displaced the crater-lake
The small but photogenic Lady Knox geyser is and resulted in the burial of the small mine
located a short drive away and is artificially settlement together with 11 workers in a torrent
induced to erupt every morning using soap of warm mud and rocks (Pee Jay White Island
powder, so that the tourists can view it from the Tours, n.d.). The trigger for this event is
wooden stands nearby (Figure CS18.3). Tickets unknown.
must be obtained from the visitor centre before
driving to the geyser. Slightly further towards the Potential conflict between
main road is an impressive bubbling mud pool. geothermal power and
Risk factors/management touristic exploitation

In order to reduce the risk of serious injury or Much time has passed since the Maoris first
fatality at New Zealand’s mainland geothermal exploited geothermally heated waters to cook
sites much effort has been spent on providing their food. More recently, Rotorua landowners
walkways for tourists and fencing off any potentially bored small holes to benefit on a small scale from

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