Skip to main content

Story: Life in hot springs

Hot springs, Ōrākei Kōrako

Image
Hot springs, Ōrākei Kōrako

This thermal area at Ōrākei Kōrako, north of Taupō, is known as the Artist’s Palette because of its colourful sinter deposits. There are several hot springs, with varying temperature and chemistry. All the springs are expected to contain microbial life.

Using this item

GNS Science, Extremophile Photo Collection

Reference: DCP_1370

by Bruce Mountain

Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

Bruce Mountain, Life in hot springs – Extremophiles, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/6449/hot-springs-orakei-korako (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Bruce Mountain, published 2 March 2009.