Tarawera is a volcano near the North Island town of Rotorua. After being quiescent for centuries, it erupted in June of 1886, killing about 150 people (the exact death toll is unknown).
The eruption also buried what were then major tourist attractions: the Pink and White Terraces, beautifully layered silica deposits with thermal pools for bathing.
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| Blomfield, Charles, 1848-1926 :White Terraces, Lake Rotomahana. 1890. Ref: G-630. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. natlib.govt.nz/records/23229902 |
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| Blomfield, Charles 1848-1926. :Pink Terraces, Lake Rotomahana 1890. Ref: G-667. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. natlib.govt.nz/records/22771292 |
The people of the coastal Bay of Plenty were far enough away to be in no danger, but to have ash falling from the sky must have been terrifying, especially while they waited to learn just what was going on. I made it particularly frightening for one young couple in Mud and Gold: their first child decides to be born during the eruption.
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| Blomfield, Charles 1848-1926. Mount Tarawera in eruption, June 10, 1886. W. Potts, lith. C Blomfield, del. Wanganui, A D Willis [ca 188-?]. Ref: C-033-002. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22750114 |
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I had a lovely few days in Rotorua – the museum is especially wonderful! (And the spa, of course!)
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I haven’t been there for years! We’re planning on paying a visit later this year, though.
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Very interesting! I have been wanting to visit New Zealand for years now, your blog has lots of neat facts and information. Great Job!
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Thanks, Kris! I hope you do manage to visit here some day.