Geyser Near Rotorua, New Zealand

April 03, 2014

NZGeyserP1010424 (2)

Photographer: Nel Graham
Summary Authors: Nel Graham

New Zealand is one of the few places in the world with multiple active geysers. The small geyser shown above is near the town of Rotorua, on New Zealand's North Island. It's part of a large geothermal area residing in a volcanic caldera. Note the mineral-laden pools and deposits of sinter (amorphous silica) that precipitate from the erupted water.

Geysers form when water seeping through cracks and surface fissures reach depths where shallow magma heats it to temperatures exceeding the surface boiling point. When enough pressure builds up the water flashes to steam and escapes through the geyser's mouth. This geyser spouts at irregular intervals, nonetheless, it was worth the wait to see it erupt. Photo taken on February 15, 2014.

Photo details: Camera Maker: Panasonic; Camera Model: DMC-TZ4; Focal Length: 4.7mm (35mm equivalent: 28mm); Aperture: f/3.3; Exposure Time: 0.0010 s (1/1000); ISO equiv: 160; Software: QuickTime 7.6.6.