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Natural wonders of ancient Vanuatu: How did thermal pools and waterfalls form?

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Natural wonders of ancient Vanuatu: How did thermal pools and waterfalls form?

Text | Inana Si

Edit | Inana Si

Vanuatu is an ancient region of New Zealand's North Island known for its natural beauty. The area is home to many natural wonders, the most famous of which are its thermal pools and waterfalls.

The formation of these wonders is closely related to the geological history of the region and also reflects the amazing charm of the natural world.

Natural wonders of ancient Vanuatu: How did thermal pools and waterfalls form?

Geography of Vanuatu

The Vanuatu region of New Zealand is located in the middle of the North Island and is a region made up of a large number of volcanoes. The geography of the region is very special, with many natural wonders such as thermal pools, hot springs and waterfalls.

The formation of these natural wonders is closely related to the rich geological history of the region. Below the surface of the area, there are many hydrothermal and hot rocks, which are used on the surface by groundwater flow action, forming many hot springs and hot pools.

In addition to this, the area has many volcanic craters and lava caves, which have also become the source of many natural attractions.

Overall, Vanuatu is a region full of volcanic and geothermal activity, and its unique geography has made for many natural wonders.

Natural wonders of ancient Vanuatu: How did thermal pools and waterfalls form?

The Vanuatu region is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most active volcanic areas in New Zealand. There are more than 100 active volcanic and geothermal activity areas in the region, the most famous of which is the Vanuatu Crater.

This crater is a large thermal pool with a diameter of about 700 meters and a depth of 62 meters. With temperatures of up to 80-100 degrees Celsius and the perennial smell of water vapor and sulfur, this thermal pool is a spectacular natural wonder.

In addition to the Vanuatu crater, there are many small thermal pools and geothermal activity areas in the area. These hot pools and hot springs are formed by the heating of groundwater by magma heat.

When volcanic and geothermal activity in the area became more intense, groundwater was heated and erupted to the surface to form the famous fountain called "geothermal fountain".

Natural wonders of ancient Vanuatu: How did thermal pools and waterfalls form?

The area also has many unique geological features, such as geysers and mud volcanoes. Geysers are a type of fountain that periodically erupts water and steam.

A mud volcano is a natural wonder formed by the eruption of mud and gases that resembles a small hill in appearance and usually emits loud sounds and smells.

Formation of thermal pools

Hot pools are pools formed by underground hot spring water, which are usually hot and rich in minerals. They are one of the most famous natural wonders in the Vanuatu region of New Zealand and attract a large number of tourists to see them.

The formation principle of hot pools is that hot water from underground rises through surface cracks or rock crevices to form hot spring springs, which are continuously precipitated and cooled over time, forming hot pools.

Natural wonders of ancient Vanuatu: How did thermal pools and waterfalls form?

In the Vanuatu region, volcanic activity is very frequent. There are many volcanoes here, and their eruptions constantly inject hot water and steam into the ground, creating a large number of underground hot springs.

These thermal waters are rich in silica and other minerals that constantly absorb and dissolve minerals in the rocks as they flow through the rocks.

When these hot spring waters gush out of the ground, minerals precipitate and form mineral deposits due to temperature changes and the action of air, which eventually form hot pools.

In addition to the color of these hot spring waters, it also depends on the type and content of minerals, for example, the yellow-green color is produced by the oxidation of sulfur and iron.

Natural wonders of ancient Vanuatu: How did thermal pools and waterfalls form?

There are several famous thermal pools in the Vanuatu region, the cigarette pool is one of the most famous thermal pools in New Zealand, located in the Victoria Mountains in the Promande region of Wakatu, with a depth of 65 meters and a diameter of about 60 meters, the pool is round, the bottom of the pool is orange, and the edges are surrounded by white sediment is very beautiful.

The Emerald Pool is one of the most beautiful thermal pools in the Vanuaku region. It is located in the center of a hot spring with a temperature of up to 74 degrees and an emerald color.

The Color Pool is one of the most colourful thermal pools in the Vanuaku region, with very high temperatures and a wealth of colours, ranging from orange to blue.

The Heat River is a hot water stream with a length of 1.5 km and is a very popular tourist attraction. Visitors can relax in the Thermal River and admire the magnificent nature surrounding them.

Natural wonders of ancient Vanuatu: How did thermal pools and waterfalls form?

These pools and streams form from volcanic activity and geothermal energy in the Vanuaku region. The water in these ponds and streams is constantly gushing out of the ground, heated by underground hot water, which is usually between 60-80 degrees.

At the same time, the minerals in the ground are also dissolved in the hot water, forming various wonderful colors. These ponds and streams have become a natural wonder in the Vanuatu region, attracting tourists from all over the world.

This thermal pool is a natural limestone shell formed by underground hot water fountains. Its temperature is as high as 75 degrees Celsius, which can turn pool water into steam, creating a mysterious mist of water that appears to roll on the ground. Visitors can walk through the surrounding trees and meadows and admire the reflection of steam in the sun and the display is very beautiful.

Natural wonders of ancient Vanuatu: How did thermal pools and waterfalls form?

It is a natural landscape formed by hot springs produced by volcanic eruptions on the earth's surface. The Vanuatu region is home to many thermal pools, the causes and processes of their formation are manifold.

The area is located on the Pacific Rim seismic zone, with high crustal activity and many volcanic craters and geothermal areas. These geothermal areas form hot springs due to the geothermal influence of groundwater due to crustal activity.

These hot springs form underground water systems through geological formations such as fissures and faults, and hot spring water is transported to the surface through these underground channels.

Its formation process is also closely related to the composition of underground rock formations. When hot water gushes out of the ground, it carries with it many minerals and microorganisms that form a thick layer of deposits on the surface of the hot pool.

Over time, these sediments accumulate, creating a unique landscape.

Natural wonders of ancient Vanuatu: How did thermal pools and waterfalls form?

The formation of the waterfall

Waterfalls are natural phenomena in which water falls from a height. Its formation is often associated with the erosive action of rivers or streams as they pass through rocks or canyons.

When rivers flow through rock formations of varying hardness and resistance to erosion, soft rocks erode, while hard rocks do not. This results in the formation of a cliff or steep cliff from which water flows and then suddenly falls into a platform or pool below, forming a waterfall.

It is usually formed when the water flow difference is greater than a certain height. The larger the drop, the more spectacular the waterfall formed. In addition to the water drop, the shape, width, and flow rate of the waterfall also affect its appearance.

Natural wonders of ancient Vanuatu: How did thermal pools and waterfalls form?

Some waterfalls may be single waterfalls, while others are multi-level waterfalls, where water falls from cliffs of different heights. Waterfalls take a long time to form, so different types and shapes of waterfalls may be seen in different areas and environments.

The Vanuatu region has many famous waterfalls, the most famous of which is Heka Falls. It is located in the Waikuru region of Vanuatu, not far from the city of Takitapia.

Heka Falls is a waterfall on the Waikuru River that is 11 metres high and flows up to 220,000 litres per second.

Its beauty lies in its water color and flow, with water cascading down from the waterfall to create spectacular flows and splashes that are eye-catching.

Natural wonders of ancient Vanuatu: How did thermal pools and waterfalls form?

The color of the water is dark blue, because the glacial sediment in the water is layered by density, so that when the light passes through the water body, only the blue light is reflected, which is the unique feature of the waterfall.

Vanuatu has many famous waterfalls, the most famous of which are Hankira Falls, Okareka Falls, and Takan Falls. Each of these waterfalls has a unique beauty.

Located at the southern end of Lake Vaiola, Hankyra Falls is one of New Zealand's tallest waterfalls at 153 metres. The waterfall has a large flow of water, up to 200 cubic meters per second.

The scenery around the waterfall is spectacular, with a deep canyon below and a lush meadow next to it.

Natural wonders of ancient Vanuatu: How did thermal pools and waterfalls form?

Located in the northern part of Vanuatu, Okareka Falls is a wide waterfall that reaches a height of 28 meters and has a very large flow of water. Its source of water comes from the Maori word for 'boiling spring', which is due to nearby thermal pools and hot springs. There is a very beautiful trail next to Okareka Falls, and visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the waterfall along the trail.

Takan Falls is one of Vanuatu's most famous waterfalls, located near Hanjira Falls. The waterfall is 27 meters high and has a very large flow of water, up to 220 cubic meters per second.

The scenery around the waterfall is spectacular, with large tracts of virgin forest and magnificent mountains. Takian Falls is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Lake Vaiola region and attracts a large number of tourists every year.

The water flow and height of these waterfalls are spectacular, and the views are also very beautiful, making them one of the most attractive attractions in the Vanuatu region.

Natural wonders of ancient Vanuatu: How did thermal pools and waterfalls form?

Waterfalls are natural landscapes formed by gravity when the river passes through rock formations, ravines, steep slopes and other terrain and landforms, causing the water to fall vertically and impact the ground.

The Vanuatu region is a volcanic region on New Zealand's North Island, where volcanic eruptions and seismic activity have had a profound impact on the formation of the geological structure and geomorphology.

In terms of geological structure, there are many faults and fractures in the area, which have gradually formed a series of ravines and cliffs after long-term weathering and erosion, providing unique topographic conditions for the formation of waterfalls.

Natural wonders of ancient Vanuatu: How did thermal pools and waterfalls form?

Local climatic conditions also played an important role in the formation of the waterfall. Vanuatu has a varied climate and abundant rainfall, which is why the rivers are large and rapid, and some tall waterfalls have been formed by the impact and erosion of cliffs.

In addition to the formation of these waterfalls, it is also related to the local groundwater system. The Vanuatu region is rich in groundwater, and over a long period of time, many groundwater veins have formed, which accelerate the formation of waterfalls when impacting rock formations.

Vanuatu's cultural values

Vanuatu's natural wonders are not only an important part of New Zealand's tourism industry, but also one of the important representatives of Maori culture.

The thermal pools and waterfalls not only showcase New Zealand's natural beauty, but also reflect Maori culture's reverence and dependence on nature.

Natural wonders of ancient Vanuatu: How did thermal pools and waterfalls form?

Māori use thermal pools to cook food and warm their bodies. These approaches reflect Māori's respect and gratitude for nature.

Waterfalls are also an important natural element in Māori culture. It is an important source of water for the Maori people, who regard the waterfall as a source of life and treasure.

These natural wonders also embody New Zealand's natural beauty. The hot pools and waterfalls are formed by volcanic activity and geological changes, taking on a variety of colors and shapes.

These landscapes are not only amazing, but also show people the wonder and endless creativity of nature.

So Vanuatu's natural wonders are not only an important resource for New Zealand's tourism industry, but also a representative of Maori culture and New Zealand's natural beauty.

Natural wonders of ancient Vanuatu: How did thermal pools and waterfalls form?

The way these landscapes are formed and used reflects Maori awe and dependence on nature, and also shows people the wonder and beauty of nature.

Epilogue:

The hot pools and waterfalls in the Vanuatu region of New Zealand are breathtaking natural wonders that attract visitors from all over the world.

These landscapes are not only the result of natural evolution, but are also an important part of Māori culture and New Zealand tourism. By understanding how these natural wonders were formed and the influence of Maori culture, we gain a deeper understanding of the country's history and natural beauty.

At the same time, these landscapes remind us of the importance of protecting and respecting the natural environment so that they continue to provide a wonderful experience for people.

Natural wonders of ancient Vanuatu: How did thermal pools and waterfalls form?

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Bibliography:

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[3] Yang Yongmao meets with the Speaker of the Parliament of Vanuatu[N]. LI Qiongyan. Shaanxi Daily, 2008-02-28

[4] Vanuatu Foreign Minister Responds to Australian Media Distorted Report[N]. FAN Lingzhi. Global Times, 2019-03-16

[5] Zhuang Shangbiao meets with Vanuatu Prime Minister Salvi[N]. ZOU Jing; XIAO Bin. China Railway Construction News, 2019-05-30

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