Lake Rotomahana

The catastrophic eruption of Mount Tarawera on June 10, 1886 destroyed the famous Pink and White Terraces—once considered the eighth wonder of the natural world—and dramatically reshaped Lake Rotomahana. The eruption killed over 120 people, mostly Māori, and buried the nearby village of Te Wairoa. The lake basin was enlarged and deepened by the explosive eruption, filling with water to form the modern lake.

In 2011, a team of researchers led by Cornel de Ronde of GNS Science used sonar and underwater mapping to discover remnants of the Pink Terraces on the lake floor at depths of about 60 meters. However, the findings have been debated, with some scientists arguing the discovered structures may be eruption craters rather than terrace remnants. The White Terraces' exact fate remains less certain.

Yes, Lake Rotomahana sits within the active Taupo Volcanic Zone and remains geothermally active, with hot springs, bubbling water, and steam vents visible around the lake shore. Nearby Frying Pan Lake, located in the Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley formed by the same 1886 eruption, is recognized as the world's largest hot spring by surface area. The lake's water temperature remains elevated in certain areas due to ongoing geothermal activity.

Lake Rotomahana can be accessed via the Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley, a tourist attraction located approximately 20 kilometers southeast of Rotorua on New Zealand's North Island. Visitors can take self-guided walks or boat cruises on the lake to view geothermal features and the site where the Pink and White Terraces once stood. The area is managed as a protected scenic reserve.