Story: Geothermal energy

Wairoa geyser, 1906 (1st of 2)

Wairoa geyser, 1906

Wairoa geyser was the largest at Whakarewarewa, near Rotorua, but it did not erupt regularly. The spurts were sometimes induced – especially to impress special visitors – with the help of soap. Typically, a water column up to 60 metres high was ejected for a minute or so, followed by smaller, spasmodic shots. The longest recorded eruption, on 8 January 1903, lasted 130 minutes.

Using this item

Private collection
Photograph by Bill Hammond

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Carol Stewart, 'Geothermal energy - Heat from the earth', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/5422/wairoa-geyser-1906 (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Carol Stewart, published 12 Jun 2006