Above and below

On this day, I was surrounded by clouds both above and below!

Wairakei’s Craters of the Moon geothermal area is part of the largest geothermal field in New Zealand. It lies within the Taupō Volcanic Zone.

Despite being on raised wooden boardwalks, one can feel the heat of the Earth while exploring this geothermal valley hissing with clouds of steam and cauldrons full of bubbling mud. If memory serves, this is Mt Tongariro in the background - an active, compound volcano.

The thermal activity is monitored regularly by scientists from the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Science.