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| Heading into the harbor to disembark |
It was another departure in the rainy dark of morning. The two hour drive to Whakatane was better once I left the main road and hugged the beautiful shoreline of the bay. After wandering the city streets, I found PeeJay’a Boat tours with the good news that the conditions were favorable for the trip to White Island which sits 49 kilometers off shore.
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White Island was at a Level Two on the day I went. "Onset of eruptive activity
accompanied by changes to monitored indicators." |
About 30 minutes into the ride, I spotted White Island way
in the distance but it was looking very ominous with billowy black clouds dumping torrents of rain.
But, as I have learned during the entire trip, wait five minutes and the weather will change. And, change it did to blue skies and billowy white clouds.
While on the boat, we were handed our safety equipment which consisted of a hard hat and a gas mask.
I naively thought to myself that maybe this was overkill (let me just say haha to that!).
The first mate had us scramble into the raft to motor to the structure somewhat like a dock but very unstable, narrow, and no hand rails.
A safety briefing was given on how to use the gas mask and that the hard hats needed to stay on the entire time.
Since the activity level was a two, we were given very specific instructions as to where to go in the event that the volcano starting “burping” and spewing ash or rock.
We were certainly relieved to hear that these episodes would only last for about 90 seconds and that then they would look around for survivors.
Still love the Kiwi senses of humor
J When we passed the old 
factory, we could certainly see lots of steam rising from the crater as well as fumeroles (fissures in the hot rock). At this point, everything was still very comfortable. Our guide took us on a path towards the crater but we had to wait for the all clear from the other guide if it was safe. 
Stopping to see a fumerole which releases mostly steam with any of the following gases, carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), hydrochloric acid (HCl), hydrogen fluoride (HF), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen gas (H2), NH3, methane (CH4), and SiF4, it had formed a crusty surface over a molten inside. Matt, our guide, compared it to a blister on your foot; a tough outer surface with liquid underneath. If you stepped 
on one, you would go through the crust and fall into molten rock. We were all very careful to follow our guides! Matt received the all clear that we could head to the crater. By this time, we were all wearing the gas masks as the sulfur dioxide was very choking to inhale and would cause you to cough and have your eyes water. They handed out hard candy which helped with the coughing if you were not wearing your gas mask. 
The winds had shifted so we could see the bottom of the crater. Today, it was green but it changes color frequently depending on what rock is molten and if any bacteria are present. 
The guides pointed out that a new cone had formed in just the last week. With the possibility of instability, the guides only allowed us to linger for about two minutes at the crater’s edge.
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Looking into the crater
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Mud pots were next on the agenda. 
The two types were pointed out and explained.
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| Mud pots |
The landscape was continually being blocked by the steam and gases so we kept moving. Pointing out another point of entry from the boat showed us that we were glad the main point of entry was available since the sea was not too rough. Matt concluded with a brief history of the mining operations and some tragic stories of lives lost on the island during the days it was a profitable mining center for sulfur. We were allowed to wander through the ruins before getting back on the boat for lunch and the return trip. The captain toured us around the side of the volcano for a different vantage point, then by a couple of islands to see the sea lions basking in the sun. Another amazing adventure.
While on the boat, we were handed our safety equipment which consisted of a hard hat and a gas mask. I naively thought to myself that maybe this was overkill (let me just say haha to that!). The first mate had us scramble into the raft to motor to the structure somewhat like a dock but very unstable, narrow, and no hand rails. A safety briefing was given on how to use the gas mask and that the hard hats needed to stay on the entire time. Since the activity level was a two, we were given very specific instructions as to where to go in the event that the volcano starting “burping” and spewing ash or rock. We were certainly relieved to hear that these episodes would only last for about 90 seconds and that then they would look around for survivors. Still love the Kiwi senses of humor J When we passed the old 
Stopping to see a fumerole which releases mostly steam with any of the following gases, carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), hydrochloric acid (HCl), hydrogen fluoride (HF), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen gas (H2), NH3, methane (CH4), and SiF4, it had formed a crusty surface over a molten inside. Matt, our guide, compared it to a blister on your foot; a tough outer surface with liquid underneath. If you stepped 
The winds had shifted so we could see the bottom of the crater. Today, it was green but it changes color frequently depending on what rock is molten and if any bacteria are present. 
The guides pointed out that a new cone had formed in just the last week. With the possibility of instability, the guides only allowed us to linger for about two minutes at the crater’s edge.
The two types were pointed out and explained.
WOW that is so cool! It's amazing to think how the earth continues to change so visibly in some areas. Bet a shower felt pretty good after that exposure.
ReplyDeleteNew Zealand is under constant threat with the Pacific and Australian plates constantly moving and the interesting thing is that the Pacific plate is moving on top of the Australian plate under the north island, and it is the reverse under the south island. So, lots of torquing all the time which was evidenced by the eruption of Tongarriro the first night I was here. And, White Island is on the other end of the line of volcanos on the north island. Can we say "Major Hot Spot?" And, that shower felt really, really good!
DeleteI would be scared to go an active volcano with chances of 90 second "burping" episodes. That must have been an amazing adventure. Seeing the sea lions at the end was a great!
ReplyDelete~Mallory P.
Mallory, it was a littel unnerving but the owners of the company are very experienced and would not take us if they thought the risk was too high. Although, if the warning had been upgraded to a level 3, we would not have gone so we were on the edge (literally). I smelled like sulfur for the rest of the day, very stinky!
DeleteI've heard that sulphur has a rotten-eggs smell. Is that actually true?
ReplyDelete~Ava
Yep, rotten egg smell...every time you are near anything hissing or steaming. It burns your eyes and makes you cough if you get right in the stinky fumes.
DeleteWow, I had no idea that you had to take such precaution like safety equipment at a level two volcano! I wonder what it would be like for someone who dared to travel to a level five volcano.
ReplyDelete-Lauren Tope
Lauren, at a level five, they would not be able to go near the volcano as it would be spewing either ash and lethal gases or hot rocks and lava (or a combination thereof). The scientists monitor all the volcanos 24 horus a day from a remote location. We could see the seismograph equipment on White Island with its solar panel for electricity generation. Scientists from all over the world come to White Island to study volcanoes. And, the people who do the tours say that a pair of shoes may last a few months and that t-shirts start falling apart at the seams after a couple of months due to all the hostile gases they are exposed to while touring (only about 1 hour a day).
DeleteWouldn't the hostile gasses that are ruining the tour guide's clothes be harming their skin?
ReplyDelete-Abby Bender
Abby, a good shower washes off the harmful chemicals. Our skin is an amazing organ that provides great protection! (Obviously :-)
DeleteThat sounds amazing but, I am surprised at how many saftey percautions there were. Is it possible to explore a level 3 or 4 volcano and still be safe?
ReplyDeleteSome scientist would be able to go on the volcano at a 3, but not certain anyone would be allowed to go with a level 4. Visitors, such as myself, would not be allowed to go at a level 3 as the tour company would not want to be liable for any injuries or deaths. It was not scary, just very eerie when the smoke was all around us and we could not see but a few feet. And, the gas masks made it very surreal!
DeleteI agree with Lauren and Emily. It sounds like and amzing tour to go on, but it surprised me that they let you visit an active volcano, especially when there are chances of 90 seconds of "burping".
ReplyDelete~Caroline McGonegal
That's crazy how the weather changed that much in just a matter of five minutes.
ReplyDeleteThe weather changed quickly everywhere I went in NZ. IF you did not like the weather, it usually changed in a short amount of time. Well, all except for one day of rain when I was driving (on the left side of the road...now that was scary in the beginning!)
DeleteThat must have been scary considering that there is a chance of 90 minute "burping" episodes, but also it sounded like a very cool, different, and great experience.
ReplyDelete~Erin Siedlecki
Erin, the 90 second burping luckily did not happen while we were touring. And, we were fortunate to get to see the main crater, as not many get to go up that high for the view. I trusted our guide, as he was very calm and knowledgable.
Delete