Story: Volcanoes

Lake Rotorua

Lake Rotorua

Lake Rotorua partly fills the Rotorua caldera. This was formed about 230,000 years ago by a huge ignimbrite eruption. Mokoia Island, in the centre of the lake, is a rhyolite dome, formed after the caldera collapsed. Lake Rotorua was originally larger. Rotorua city, in the foreground, is built mainly on the old lake bed.

Using this item

GNS Science
Reference: CN28950/22
Photograph by Lloyd Homer

Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Richard Smith, David J. Lowe and Ian Wright, 'Volcanoes - Caldera volcanoes and the Taupō Volcanic Zone', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/8709/lake-rotorua (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Richard Smith, David J. Lowe and Ian Wright, published 12 Jun 2006