What appears as a mass of clay ready to be molded, is actually a pool of boiling mud where different formations rise above the surface and disappear just as quickly as they were formed. In this geothermal area at Orakei Koraki near Taupo on the North Island of New Zealand, visitors are intrigued by the mud pools as the hot clay makes its own extraordinary noises as it gurgles and churns.
These mud pool formations usually appear where the thermal fluids have chemically rotted away the surface rocks and have transformed them into clay which are heated by the underground energy. The mud pools fascinate many who visit Orakei Koraki, but they are off the beat and path from the main roadways, taking approximately 25 minutes to reach from Taupo, New Zealand.
Other parts of this highly active geothermal area known as Orakei Korako which are stunning to see, are the geysers, silica terraces and caves.
Mud Pools at Orakei Korako, near Taupo, North Island, New Zealand.
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