Journey to the Center of the Volcano: Chapter 3

A raft shuttled us over to the island, landing us by the ruins of an old sulphur mining factory. The island's ill-fated sulphur industry never met with much success. In 1914 the western rim of the volcano's crater collapsed, unleashing a volcanic landslide, killing 10 miners. Mining resumed some years later but was a commercial failure and operations ceased in 1933.



Since 1967 scientists have closely monitored activity on the island, which regularly releases plumes of ash and steam into the air, visible from the mainland. The last eruption occurred in 2000.




The landscape is not unlike walking on the moon. We were guided along a winding track between giant mounds of ash and rock. We were cautioned to avoid smaller "pressure mounds" because scalding water or mud exists beneath their brittle crusts.


Fumaroles hiss and roar in all directions.






We walked along an amazingly colorful but highly acidic stream which did wonders for an old coin.


The closer we got to the volcano's crater lake, the more toxic the fumes!


Can't help it - I just love mudpots.




After about 90 minutes, it was time to traverse the crater and catch our raft to the crusier.



Happily, the dolphins were on hand to escort us back to Whakatane.


I'm fairly certain White Island will rank among my Top Five New Zealand Adventures.