GLOBE Claritas helps uncover lost wonder of the world - 8 March 2012
Our very own GLOBE Claritas developer Chris LeBlanc helps chase down the lost Pink and White terraces of Lake Rotomahana.
The Pink and White Terraces on the shores of Lake Rotomahana, near Rotorua in New Zealand’s North Island, were considered one of the great sights of the world. Tourists came from far and wide to soak in the thermal hot pools and view the delicately tinted silica terraces. Early on 10 June 1886, nearby Mount Tarawera suddenly and violently erupted. The resulting volumes of hot mud and ash blanketed the landscape and destroyed the terraces. The site where the Pink and White Terraces once stood became a deep crater. Over time, it filled with water and formed a new larger Lake Rotomahana.
A new investigation led by GNS Science aims to uncover the terraces. This week a seismic survey is being conducted across the lake to map geological structures up to 70m beneath the lake floor, imaging layers of sediment, rift zones and the remnants of the terraces. Chris is in the field acquiring the CHIRP sonar data and will be tasked with the processing using GLOBE Claritas.
The team is proud to be involved in this exciting research investigation.
