Hells Gate Mud Volcano

This is the only example of a mud volcano in a thermal park in New Zealand!

The mud volcano here is also unique in that normally mud formations are only 09.m in height whereas our friend here is already over 1.8m and looking to get taller.

From a volcanic perspective the shape of the mud volcano is that of a composite cone similar to our three volcanoes in the middle of the North Island.

Instead of lava the mud volcano regularly discharges mud lahars or ejects mud similar to lava bombs.

Every six weeks or so the top of the volcano goes hard and over a two to three day period pressure builds up which causes the top mud layer to erupt over a 5m wide diameter. Thankfully almost all of these eruptions take place at night.

Click here to book one of Wai Ora Spa's soothing mud therapies!