12 Otherworldly Volcanic Landscapes: From Lava Tubes to Steaming Calderas

9. Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, New Zealand: Geothermal Artistry

Near Rotorua, Wai-O-Tapu ("Sacred Waters") is a geothermal park showcasing nature's volcanic artistry. Marvel at the Champagne Pool, a large hot spring with a distinctive orange rim and bubbling, steaming turquoise waters. Witness the daily eruption of the Lady Knox Geyser (induced with soap for timing), and explore landscapes painted with incredible mineral hues, from bubbling mud pools to silica terraces. It’s a dynamic, sensory-rich environment where the Earth audibly hisses, steams, and bubbles, revealing its powerful subterranean heat through colorful, ingenious displays.