Pōhutu Geyser Explained

Pōhutu Geyser
Name Origin:From Māori for 'big splash'
Location:Whakarewarewa, Taupō Volcanic Zone
Hot Spring Type:Geyser
Duration:10-20 minutes
Frequency:Roughly hourly

Pōhutu Geyser is a geyser in the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley, Rotorua, in the North Island of New Zealand.[1] The geyser is the largest in the southern hemisphere and among the most active in the area, erupting up to twenty times per day at heights of up to .[2] The name Pōhutu is derived from te reo Māori, although it has an unclear etymology being translated as either 'big splash', 'explosion' or 'constant splashing'.[3]

The use of geothermal bores for heating by nearby Rotorua has impacted on the activity of Pōhutu Geyser and other nearby geothermal features. After a decline in geothermal activity at Whakarewarewa, a programme in the late 1980s saw bores within of the geyser being shut, leading to a pronounced increase in activity.[4] This activity increase has concerned some scientists who have been involved with the field, who claim that the increased regularity of Pōhutu Geyser's eruptions may result in the system dying in the future.[5] Its crater is 50 centimetres in diameter.[6]

References

-38.1635°N 176.2541°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Brunton. Tess. 2017-05-27. World Famous in New Zealand: Te Puia, Rotorua. 2021-02-02. Stuff. en.
  2. Web site: Larsen. Michael. 2021. Pōhutu Geyser: the largest geyser in the southern hemisphere. 2021-02-02. www.aa.co.nz. en-nz.
  3. Web site: Pohutu - Māori Dictionary. 2021-02-02. maoridictionary.co.nz.
  4. Web site: Chemistry of the Rotorua Geothermal Field Part 3: Hydrology. 14 October 2013.
  5. Web site: Black. Eleanor. 3 November 2000. Fears for future of busy geyser. 2021-02-02. NZ Herald. en-NZ.
  6. Web site: Ana. Romanelli. The Pohutu Geyser, Rotorua, New Zealand. 2022-06-01. www.bestourism.com.