Taupo Volcanic Zone - August 2009

The Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ), located in Central North Island of New Zealand, hosts several geothermal areas that exhibit a wide variety of thermal features. These were formed as a result of unique tectonics within a classical rift setting associated with a convergent plate margin. Several of these systems had been developed for power generation (i.e. Wairakei and Ohaaki/Broadlands) while others remain untouched to preserve the natural beauty of their surface thermal manifestations (i.e. Waiotapu). Those that have been developed for power generation utilize different surface facility set-ups to harness geothermal power. The NE-SW trending TVZ is a young rift relative to the 4 Mya N-S trending Hauraki Plains rift zone in the north.

Orakei Korako silica sinter terraces

Orakei Korako cave and acid pool

Craters of the Moon (Karapiti) fumaroles, steam vents, mud pools

Waiotapu mud pool

Waiotapu trail into one of several craters

NZ (GMT +12)

Woke up this morning feeling a little better from the previous two days. It was still dark at 6:00AM and the rain and wind were pounding the glass pane of my dorm room window. Breakfast won't be in another two hours so I crawl back under the sheets. I was still sleepy. I couldn't say what the temperature was but it was freezing even under three layers of cover. That was when reality sunk in. It was the peak of winter in the southern hemisphere.

I arrived in Auckland two days ago. The trip from home was three hours flying time to Singapore, three hours transit time at the airport, and about 12 hours flight time from Singapore to Auckland. Although I did get some shut eye on the plane, what I needed was a real bed to sleep on. My airport pick-up arranged by the residence hall I was to stay in arrived a few minutes after I got to the arrival area. The drive to the dorm was hassle free with very little traffic (the dorm was about 25 km from the airport - got there in about 30 minutes or so).

Was welcomed by the deputy residence hall manager and was given a short tour of the facilities. I finally got the key to my room afterward but before I could crash, had to unpack my stuff first. I was tired, sleepy, hungry, but quite excited at the prospect of exploring the surroundings of the city, my home for the next four months.