125 years since the loss of the Pink and White Terraces

On 10 June 1886 the volcano Mt Tarawera erupted and spewed an enormous amount of itself over the surrounding area, so much that it completely buried the world renowned natural silica formations known as the Pink and White Terraces above Lake Rotomahana, which as can be seen in this painting were quite substantial. The general level of the land in the area was raised considerably by the eruption.

Very recently a team including researchers from GNS Science, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, and Waikato University were mapping the floor of the lake, as it has been since the eruption, when they discovered a portion of the Pink Terraces in February 2011. The lower two tiers of the terraces were found in their original location at a depth of 60 metres (200 ft). A portion of the White Terraces has been rediscovered in the last few days.

Three prints of paintings including the one above were issued by the Alexander Turnbull Library on the occasion of the 100th anniversary in 1986.  We have them framed in our office.