Visit New Zealand

- By Diana Tijoriwalla

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• About New Zealand
• Primary Schools
• Rotorua, the Volcanic City
• Kiwi Speak
• White Island Volcano
• National Bird
• Fruits & Vegetables
• The Sky Tower
• Driving in New Zealand
• Flora & Fauna
• Tranz Metro
• Underwater Aquarium
• The Waitomo Caves
• Traffic Regulations

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White Island Volcano

Hello there,
This time I shall tell you about the volcanoes in New Zealand. There are many active volcanoes here. The most active volcano is White Island.

The White Island is actually a large submerged volcano. It is believed to be 150,000 - 200,00 years old. The Maoris call it hakaari .
White Island is 49 km north of Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty. It covers an area of 2.4sq. km. The volcano rises 321 metres above sea level, but its full height from the sea floor is nearly 760 metres.
White Island has been releasing plumes of ashes and steam regularly into the air. The vegetation on the island is sparse, but the marine life around it is spectacular. They include soft corals, colourful sponges and different types of fish.
The first European to discover White Island was Captain James Cook on 31 October, 1769, but it was only in December 1826, that it was declared a volcanic island.
The ash eruption is a hazard to aircraft. Not for tourists, however, who can walk right inside the main crater without undue risks. The only way to reach the island is by boat or helicopter.

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