TE TARATA, TERRACES AND CASCADE.
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V.
TE TARATA, TERRACES AND CASCADE.
FROM THE EDGE OF THE CRATER.
THE formation of these terraces is very remarkable. The water possesses in a high degree petrifying or rather incrusting qualities. The deposit is like that of the Iceland geysers, siliceous, not calcareous.
By the accumulation of these siliceous deposits and incrustations, a series of terraces has been formed on the slope of the hill; these terraces being white, as if cut from marble, present a spectacle of superb magnificence. The overflowing water looks like a cataract plunging over natural steps, and in its fall suddenly transformed to stone. To realize the full effect of this strange and wonderful display of nature's creative power, one must have climbed those steps, and studied the details of their marvellous structure.
The siliceous deposits cover an area of about three acres, and in the formation of these terraces such as they are seen at the present day, thousands of years have doubtless left the traces of their unremitting work.
The level part at the foot of the terraces extends far into Rotomahana Lake. They commence from that level with low steps, containing shallow water-basins. Farther up, the terraces increase in height from two or three to four and even eight feet. They are formed by a number of semicircular stages, no two of which are of equal height; each of these stages has a small raised margin, from which slender stalactites hang down upon the lower stage. Each platform contains one or more basins, sometimes five or six, resplendent with beautiful blue water. These form natural baths, such as no human art could have constructed, or fitted in a more luxurious and commodious style.
