More Life In Geysers

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30534, 1 September 1964, Page 6

More Life In Geysers

(N.Z. Press Association) ROTORUA, August 31, This year, 1964, is the “Year of the quiet Sun,” a time during which there is little sunspot activity. But from the thermal point of view, 1964 has been anything but quiet for Rotorua. At present the Rachel pool in the Government gardens is more active than it has been for about 80 years and geysers at Whakarewarewa are playing better than they have since before the war. The rogue geyser at Whittaker road, which shattered the lakefront quietness late last year by blasting away a section of a garage and a house, again erupted violently about a month ago. It went up with a roar during the night and blew a large hole in the ground. The geyser is now quiet. More recently, a geyser came to life at Sulphur point, on the lakefront at the rear of the sportsdrome. But all this activity does not mean there is any danger, say the experts. The Rotorua district manager of the Tourist and Publicity Department (Mr W. G. Stevens) said today the Pohutu geyser, Whakarewa-

rewa, is now playing better than, it has done for many years, and boiling water is still pouring from the Rachel pool, with its centre a seething cauldron. Guide Ellen, who has been guiding for 50 years, today said the Whakarewarewa geysers were providing their best display for many years. She believes the. present good display by the geysers is due to the heavy rain over the last two years. Guide Ellen said Pohutu now played for longer and better than it had done in years.

Just about every visitor to Whakarewarewa is now assured of seeing the geysers in action, she said. A Department of Scientific and Industrial Research-tech-nical officer (Mr E. F. Lloyd) said he did not think there were any signs of increased underground thermal activity. He said Pohutu was giving some long eruptions, but at the same time the cauldron remained low and was not discharging. Mr Lloyd said the Whakarewarewa geysers were all connected and the activity of one could affect the activity of the rest.