Mud Pools

The mud pools located in Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland were formed in 1925 when a mud volcano eroded due to heavy rainfall. Fragments of rock and glass below the surface heated up and expanded due to the magma under the rock and glass. The water heated in the process rises to the surface that typically creates geothermal activity such as geysers and mud pools. At the surface, clays have accumulated and hot water continually rises up to the surface creating blurping noises. The clay constantly changes due to rainfall so that it expands when there is high rainfall and shrinks when there is low rainfall. The clay is formed from bentonite which is a type of smectite. Different types of smectites are used in cosmetics such as foundation. This site is an interesting geothermal spot but is also an interesting spot to just sit and listen to the unique noises created.