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Sinter-forming springs and geysers of the Waikato region

TR 2020/04
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Report: TR 2020/04

Author: Ashley D. Cody, Ron F. Keam, Jesse Lebe, Bridget Lynne, Katherine Luketina

Abstract

Sinter-forming springs and geysers are among the rarest, the most vulnerable, the most spectacular and the most prized among the Waikato Region’s geothermal surface features. This report provides an inventory of sinter-forming springs and geysers in the Waikato Region, and provide notes on their location, activity, characteristics, and any threats that they face. It is hoped that this report will assist the preservation of these features by providing a guide to assist further monitoring.

Read or download the report

Sinter-forming springs and geysers of the Waikato region [PDF, 2.6 MB]

Contents
Acknowledgement i
Abstract 1
1 Introduction 2
2 Explanatory notes 4
2.1 Spatial hierarchy of geothermal manifestations 4
2.2 Waikato Regional Council Policy Considerations 4
2.3 Sinter-forming Springs 5
2.4 Geysers 5
2.5 Condition and Threats 7
2.6 Spring Location Identification 8
2.7 Chemical Analyses 8
3 Atiamuri 9
3.1 Atiamuri Springs 9
3.2 Chemistry of Atiamuri System 12
4 Horohoro 13
4.1 Horohoro Springs 13
4.2 Chemistry of Horohoro System 14
5 Mangakino 15
6 Mokai 16
6.1 Waipapa 16
6.2 Ongaroto 16
6.3 Paerata 17
6.4 Chemistry of Mokai System 17
7 Ngatamariki 18
7.1 Southern Orakonui Springs 18
7.2 Central Orakonui Springs 19
7.3 Northern Orakonui Springs 19
7.4 Waikato River Springs 20
7.5 Chemistry of Ngatamariki System 21
8 Ohaaki 22
8.1 Ohaaki Springs 22
8.2 Chemistry of Ohaaki System 23
9 Orakei Korako 24
9.1 Waihunuhunu Valley 24
9.2 Papakainga 25
9.3 Te Kapua (Waipapa Valley) 25
9.3.1 Rainbow Terrace 26
9.3.2 Golden Fleece Terrace 30
9.3.3 Artist's Palette Terrace 33
9.4 Red Hills 41
9.5 Chemistry of Orakei Korako System 42
10 Reporoa 43
10.1 Opaheke Springs (aka Opateketeke) 43
10.2 South-east Springs 43
10.3 Longview Road Springs 44
10.4 Chemistry of Reporoa Hot Springs 45
11 Rotokawa 46
11.1 Lagoon Springs 46
11.2 Chemistry of Rotokawa Hot Springs 47
12 Tauhara 48
12.1 Tauhara Springs 48
12.2 Extinct Geysers and Hot Springs of Tauhara 49
12.3 Chemistry of Tauhara Hot Springs 50
13 Te Aroha 51
13.1 Te Aroha Springs and Bores 51
13.2 Chemistry 51
14 Te Kopia 53
14.1 Murphy's Gully Springs 53
14.2 Te Kopia Springs 53
14.3 Chemistry 54
15 Tokaanu 56
15.2 Chemistry of Tokaanu Hot Springs 63
16 Tongariro 65
16.1 Ketetahi Springs 65
16.2 Chemistry 65
17 Waihi 66
17.2 Chemistry 66
18 Waikite 67
18.1 Waikite Springs 67
18.2 Chemistry of Waikite Valley Hot Springs 71
19 Waiotapu 72
19.1 Waiotapu Springs 72
19.2 Chemistry of Waiotapu Hot Springs 76
20 Wairakei 78
20.1 Wairakei Spring 78
20.2 Extinct Geysers and Hot Springs of Wairakei 78
20.3 Chemistry of Wairakei Hot Springs 80
21 Summary of Geysers and Sinter-forming Springs 81
References 82