Waimangu Geyser facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Waimangu Geyser |
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Eruption of Waimangu Geyser in 1903
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| Location | near Rotorua, New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 38°17′S 176°24′E / 38.283°S 176.400°E |
| Eruption height | up to 1,500 feet (460 m) |
| Frequency | ~36 hours (while active before 1908) |
The Waimangu Geyser was once the most powerful geyser in the world. It was located near Rotorua in New Zealand. This amazing natural wonder shot water and mud incredibly high into the air.
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Waimangu Geyser: A Giant of Nature
The Waimangu Geyser first started erupting in late 1900. Its powerful blasts reached an incredible height of up to 1,500 feet (460 m). That's taller than many skyscrapers! People all over the world were amazed by this giant geyser.
How Waimangu Geyser Began
The geyser's activity was likely caused by the huge 1886 Mount Tarawera eruption. This eruption changed the land and created new pathways for geothermal water. The water that shot out of Waimangu Geyser was black. It was full of rocks and mud from the ground around it. Because of this, the local Māori people named it Waimangu. This name means 'Black Waters'. The geyser even gave its name to the whole area, which is now called the Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley.
A Popular Tourist Attraction
Waimangu Geyser quickly became a popular spot for tourists. Visitors from Rotorua would take day trips to see it. The geyser erupted regularly for about 5 to 6 hours. This happened every 36 hours or so. A special tourist trip called the "Round Trip" started in 1902. This trip helped tourism grow in the Waimangu Valley. Even a filmmaker named Joseph Perry from the Salvation Army filmed the geyser in action.
The Geyser's Unique Black Water
In 1903, a guide named Alfred Warbrick measured the geyser's lake. It was about 260-by-430-foot (80 m × 130 m) across. He found it was only 48 feet (15 m) deep. This was a surprise! Scientists thought the lake was shallow because a lot of the rocks and mud fell back into the vent after each eruption. This material slowly filled up the bottom.
A Tragic Day at Waimangu
On August 30, 1903, a sad event happened at the geyser. Four people, including New Zealand rugby player Joe Warbrick, David McNaughton, and sisters Ruby and Catherine Nicholls, were too close to the geyser's edge. Alfred Warbrick, Joe's brother, had asked them to move back to a safe distance. But they did not. Suddenly, the geyser erupted with great force. The four people were caught in the hot water and swept away.
Why Waimangu Geyser Stopped
In mid-1904, the Waimangu Geyser stopped erupting for a few weeks. When it started again, the eruptions were smaller and weaker. Finally, on November 1, 1904, it stopped completely. This happened around the same time a landslide changed the water level of Lake Tarawera. People thought the landslide might have caused the geyser to stop. However, later studies showed there was no clear connection between the two events. The geyser became completely inactive in 1908. After Waimangu stopped, other hot springs nearby became more active. For example, Echo Crater had eruptions in 1915, 1917, and 1924.
See also
In Spanish: Géiser Waimangu para niños
