New Zealand’s Pink and White Terraces Discovered

Scientists in the first week of February 2011 discovered the Pink and White Terraces in New Zealand, which remained buried in mud for 100 years. An international team of scientist located portions of the Pink and White Terraces, using autonomous underwater vehicles to map the bottom of the lake.

The Pink and White Terraces which are natural formations created by a large geothermal system along Lake Rotomahana on the North Island was a prominent tourist spot until the late 19th centuary.

The eruption of Mt Tarawera on 10 June 1886 buried the terraces in sediment and caused the lake basin to enlarge, engulfing the land where the terraces stood. Ever since the eruption people have speculated whether or not any part of the Pink and White Terraces survived the eruption.