Rotorua Volcanoes New Zealand - Information about the Taupo Volcanic Zone, Volcanoes in Rotorua NZ.

Volcanoes Near Rotorua

Rotorua, Taupo and much of the central North Island lie in an area geologists call the Taupo Volcanic Zone. It is a very distinctive area of mountains, lakes and a landscape that everywhere bears the trace of volcanic activity. Gerald Cubitt and Les Molloy, the authors of "Wild New Zealand", have the following to say about the area:

"The Taupo Volcanic Zone can be thought of as a southern terminus of the great Pacific Ring of Fire which extends down the western Pacific from the Tongan Islands through the Kermadec Islands to the Bay of Plenty. The Zone contains, in White Island and Tongariro National Park, some of the most continuously active volcanoes in the world."
Within the Taupo Volcanic Zone there are three volcanoes still active: Ruapehu, Tongariro, and Ngarahoe (all are located in Tongariro National Park). All three have erupted fairly often in the last few hundred years. Ruapehu and Ngarahoe are two of the most continuously active composite volcanoes in the world.

Volcanic eruptions have been the cause of two very well known disasters in the last 150 years. The Mount Tarawera Eruption in 1886 that famously destroyed the Pink and White Terraces also killed over 150 people near Rotorua. On Christmas Eve, 1953, an eruption of Ruapehu created a lahar (mud-lava flow) that destroyed a railway bridge and caused New Zealand's worst ever rail disaster.

Today early warning systems are in place; the monitoring of seismic activity, and the temperatures and chemical activity of crater lakes provide information in order for action to be taken before volcanic events.


Featured Rotorua Volcanic Tours and Activities

Waimangu Volcanic Valley Self Guided Tours

Waimangu Volcanic Valley Self Guided Tours

Day Tour - Waimangu Volcanic Valley - Starting from NZ $37.00 per adult

Prime Rotorua tourist attraction, Waimangu Volcanic Valley offers self guided tours through spectacular geothermal activity in the world's youngest geothermal system. Waimangu Volcanic Valley is home to wonderful plant and bird life, thermal hot springs, steaming cliffs, volcanic craters and many more geothermal features.We are just 20 minutes South of Rotorua and 40 minutes North of Taupo. More...

Rotorua Eco Thermal Small Group Full-Day Tour

Rotorua Eco Thermal Small Group Full-Day Tour

All-day Coach Tour - Rotorua - Starting from $295.00 per person

Tour Rotorua's most popular geothermal parks and colorful lakes on a day trip led by a local naturalist guide. You'll see the Lady Knox Geyser erupt, visit the Lake Tarawera lookout and see boiling mud pools and hot springs at Wai-O-Tapu. Along the way, you'll learn all about volcanology, New Zealand's stunning flora and fauna, and Maori history from your naturalist guide. More...

Mt. Tarawera Volcano Scenic Floatplane Tour from Rotorua

Mt. Tarawera Volcano Scenic Floatplane Tour from Rotorua

Air Tour - Waimangu Volcanic Valley - Starting from $245.00 per person

Fly high over breathtaking volcanic landscapes on an unforgettable 30-minute seaplane flight from Rotorua. See New Zealand's world-famous volcanic scenery as you fly over spectacular Mt. Tarawera, the Blue and Green Lakes, and the gurgling geysers of Whakarewareewa Thermal Reserve. Flying at a time to suit you, this scenic air tour will fit into even the busiest of itineraries. More...

Mount Tarawera Orakei Korako Thermal Explorer

Mount Tarawera Orakei Korako Thermal Explorer

Air Tour - Rotorua - Starting from $565.00 per person

By Floatplane, from above Mount Tarawera impressive views include vast volcanic rifts, distant national parks and our treasured lakes. Flying south we gain an appreciation of what local Maori term the ‘Sisters of Fire’, where volcanic activity has pierced the earth surface across the fault line forming the reserves of Waimangu and Wai-O-Tapu which, when viewed from above display a spectacular pallet of nature’s most vibrant colours. Landing at Orakei Korako, ‘the Hidden Valley’, is an amazing... More...

Mount Tarawera Volcanic Adventure by Helicopter

Mount Tarawera Volcanic Adventure by Helicopter

Helicopter Tour - Rotorua - Starting from $695.00 per person

By Helicopter , combine the thrill of landing on Mount Tarawera (for an approximate 20 minute guided walk with your pilot) with a flight that includes spectacular aerial views of our stunning crater lakes, the renowned Tarawera Falls and the vibrant Waimangu and Wai-O-Tapu geothermal reserves. This tour highlights these amazing features unique to this region because of their location on our Faultline relative to the Pacific Rim of Fire. More...


Classic Kiwi HolidayhouseClassic Kiwi Holidayhouse - Holiday Home.

Boasting garden views, Classic Kiwi Holidayhouse provides accommodation with a patio and a kettle, around 2.5 km from...

Rotorua Twilight Stand-Up Paddleboard Tour and Glow Worm ExperienceRotorua Twilight Stand-Up Paddleboard Tour and Glow Worm Experience - Adventure Tour - Rotorua. Starting from $119.00 per person.

Enjoy the Rotorua Lakes as the sun sets at twilight hour on an amazing stand-up paddle board scenic tour. Feel...

 

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