Thermal Activity.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20329, 12 June 1934, Page 6

Thermal Activity.

Excitement Caused Among Maoris.

’J'BE REAWAKENING of the famous Pohutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa one day last week was preceded by a thunderous roar in the Government reserve shortlv after 8 o’clock. Several persons, mostly natives, rushed to the scene, and at 8 10 cue of the most magnificent shots ever thrown up by Pohutu was witnessed.

An enormous volume of steam was at first, emitted, followed immediately by a large column of boiling water, which was thrown to a height of about 80ft. The geyser was active throughout the day at intervals, and there were no fewer than eight shots. The first was of at least half an hour’s duration, and the third lasted twenty minutes, and the others about a Quarter of an hour. The third rose to a height of at least 60ft

There was a crowd of visitors and residents at Whakarewarewa throughout the da>, and much excitement prevailed, especially among the Maoris, who have a sentimental regard for Pohutu Geyser, and h.jd had doubts whether it would ever play agrin owing to its long period cf inactivity. Waikorohihi, which is alongside Pohutu has been very active during the past two years, playing almost continuously. On Friday it was inactive, but the Waikiti Geyser was particularly active, throwing up some fine shots, and the Papakura Geyser was also very active. The Prince of Wales Feathers Geyser played at the same time as Pohutu, this being a very rare occurrence. Another unusual thermal occurrence was that the Cauldron Pool played to a height of about 6ft. Huge quantities of boiling water poured into the cauldron owing to the activity of Pohutu.