Learning About Volcanoes

The Volcano Museum was the perfect place to start our day, because we learned all about volcanos, earthquakes and all other sorts of geothermal earth phenomena that we would see later. And we experienced a simulated earthquake! It was quite shaky, but I found it hard to imagine what it would be like if your whole house and the ground was shaking like that. I know it would be scary though.

Volcano, whoooooosh!

Some of the exhibits were a bit dated, but still awesome. I think this one was created in MS Paint, haha.

Shhhaakkkkeyyy

Scott discovered on the computer system there that we actually were right above a 3.5 earthquake the night before as we were getting ready for bed, but neither of us noticed. Probably assumed Dexter was moving around or something!

The highlight for me was a couple video documentaries on the recent eruptions of Mount Ruapehu. There have been a bunch of eruptions in the last few decades with varying levels of destruction, and the volcano continues to be active. The most crazy thing about this is that there are 2 very popular ski fields on this active volcano. In one of the films the volcano is exploding and spewing out smoke and ash in the background, while in the foreground the ski hill staff is talking about how they hope the ski field can be opened soon, and that there are already people booking in for next weekend. Turns out the whole ski season that year was a write-off.....darn, I bet they were really disappointed not to ski on a layer of ash:

Ski field covered in ash after eruption at Mount Ruapehu 1996

Mount Ruapehu and it's neighbouring volcanoes Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe are all southwest from Lake Taupo. There is a really good day hike there (Tongariro Alpine Crossing) that we hope to do some day. But sadly no dogs are allowed so Dexter can't come :(

Mount Ngauruhoe was the volcano used in Lord of the Rings for Mount Doom! I guess because of it's nice shape. Some of the Mount Doom scenes were also filmed at Mount Ruapehu. Cool stuff :)

Mount Ngauruhoe in real life

As Mount Doom in Lord of the Rings