Atlas Obscura, 2nd Edition: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders by Joshua Foer & Ella Morton & Dylan Thuras

Author:Joshua Foer & Ella Morton & Dylan Thuras [Foer, Joshua]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Workman Publishing Company
Published: 2019-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

Dig your own hot tub before the tide comes in.

Craters of the Moon

Taupo, Waikato

Swirling wisps of steam billow from the basins and bubbling mud pools at Craters of the Moon, a geothermal field encircled by a raised wooden walkway.

The area was not always a hotbed of activity. The craters began to appear in the 1950s, when the installation of a nearby geothermal power station caused a reduction in underground water pressure, allowing hot water to come to the surface and escape as steam.

Since then, the land has been in a state of constant shift. New craters—up to 65 feet (19.8 m) deep—form during hydrothermal eruptions, which occur about once per year. Blowholes emitting steam and gas pop up more frequently—so much so that the walkway needs regular rerouting to bypass new vents and avoid scalding visitors.

Karapiti Road. Wairakei. Taupo is a 5-hour bus ride or 45-minute flight from Auckland. The Craters of the Moon site is 3 miles (4.8 km) north of the city center. S 38.646667 E 176.103753

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