Champagne Pool is a hot spring located within the Waiotapu geothermal area in the North Island of New Zealand. The name Champagne Pool is derived from the constant efflux of carbon dioxide gas, similar to a glass of bubbling champagne. The vibrant colors come from a rich deposition of minerals and silicate. The silicate structures around the edge of the pool is teeming with microbial life.
The hot spring was formed 900 years ago by a hydrothermal eruption, resulting in a crater 65 m in diameter and 62 m deep. Colored waters percolate up from underground full of carbon dioxide which forms bubbles near the surface where the water temperature is 74°C. At the edges of the pools the silica is lined with bright orange from antimony rich deposits that solidify out of the cooler water. Mercury, thallium, gold and silver are also deposited in the rocks.
Excess water flow out of Champagne pool to feed another geothermal pool called Artist's Palette, which is colored yellow because of sulphur deposits. From there the water flows over silica mud flats to Primrose Sinister Terrace and down Primrose Terrace forming beautiful and fragile silica deposits.
Carbon dioxide bubbles. Photo credit
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