White Island

Alright this is more than a bit postdated (so much for my promises).  But on May 24^th my compatriats (Noel and Mark) and I set out for the 2 day drive to Whakatane, which served as our launching point to White Island.   We were able to spend 4 days on the island.  Each trip involved dressing up in our rattiest clothes (on a previous trip Mark managed to burn a hole in the butt of his pants from sitting on a bit too acidic ground), a 1.5 hr boat ride out to the island, 1.5 hrs rushed fieldwork, and 1.5 hr ride back.   It was a remarkably quick trip, but the island is incredible.  The entire place steams and much of it coated with sulfur.  I definitely want to spend some more time on active volcanoes!   My data has proven to be fairly inconclusive at this point, but we’ll see.   I don’t know if I can impart how excited I am about this place, but maybe some photo’s will help.

Ruapehu in fine form on our drive up.

Looking into the crater from the sea.

Just an idea of the color scheme here.

Even the walls be steaming.

Walking to the crater!

The average view of the crater (not a whole lot is easily seen).

Requisite nerdy geo photos (assuming the other's don't count--which they should).