Volcanic Activity Centre

With Lake Taupo forming New Zealand's largest volcanic crater, this little scientific centre is in the right place at the right time.

The wrong time would have been in 181AD, when the crater blew, flows of hot ash, mud and gas moving at estimated speeds of 600–900 km/h destroyed 20,000 square kilometres of the central North Island.

In total 50 cubic km of material was erupted, which is equivalent to a block with dimensions of 3.7 km across x 3.7 km wide x 3.7 km high! Even now the evidence of volcanic activity in the Taupo/Rotorua fascinates visitors, so this centre has been set up to quench their questions. Visitors to the Volcanic Activity Centre can tap into the research and understanding New Zealand's seismic scientists in a fun interactive way.

Interactive displays, a 3-D map, an earthquake simulator (6.3) and films will take at least an hour of your time. A range of pricing.