Pink and White Terraces

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The Pink and White Terraces in New Zealand were a natural wonder until destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1886.

Similar to Pamukkale in Turkey, hot water containing large amounts of hydrogen carbonate and calcium precipitated calcium carbonate, leaving thick white layers of limestone and travertine cascading down the mountain slope, forming pools of water and terraces.

The terraces located at Lake Rotomahana near Rotorua were considered to be the eighth wonder of the natural world and were New Zealand's most famous tourist attraction until they were destroyed when Mount Tarawera, five kilometres to the north, erupted at 03:00 on June 10, 1886.

The volcano belched out hot mud, red hot boulders and immense clouds of black ash. The eruption caused approximately 153 deaths and buried the village of Te Wairoa. The lake, and several others nearby, were substantially altered in shape and area by the eruption.