Nowhere near Narnia!

These stunning white terraces hidden between Rotorua and Taupo may look like they belong in Narnia, but really there’s not a snowflake to be seen!

In fact, these gorgeous glacier-like formations are a product of intense heat, rather than intense cold.

How the silica terraces are formed

The deep reservoirs of alkali-chloride water at Orakei Korako reach temperatures of more than 175°C

When this boiling hot water is dischaged from the geysers and hot springs at Orakei Korako, it quickly shoots up to the surface where it begins to cool.

As the water temperature drops below boiling point, the silica that’s carried in the water is deposited at the surface.

These deposits build up over time, creating ‘sinter’ rock.

When the thermal waters are pushed up through cracks made by fault movements, sinter sheets are downthrown to form stepped terraces like the gorgeous ‘Golden Fleece Terrace’ at Orakei Korako.

You can learn more about The Hidden Valley’;s geothermal systems in 'Orakei Korako’ - a fascinating book by geoligist Bridget Y. Smith, which is available from the Orakei Korako visitor centre.