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Emerald Lakes

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Volcanic crater lakes in Tongariro National Park
Emerald Lakes
Ngarotopounamu (Māori)
Small blue-green lakes surrounded by patchy snow near a mountaintopEmerald Lakes from the Tongariro Alpine Crossing with summertime snow
The Emerald Lakes are located in the central North IslandThe Emerald Lakes are located in the central North IslandEmerald LakesLocation of the Emerald Lakes
Map of Tongariro National Park with the Emerald Lakes to the south of Mount TongariroMap of walking tracks around Tongariro National Park, with the Emerald Lakes to the northeast of Mount Ngauruhoe
LocationTongariro National Park
Coordinates39°08′04″S 175°39′17″E / 39.13444°S 175.65464°E / -39.13444; 175.65464
TypeVolcanic crater lakes
Surface elevation1,725 metres (5,659 ft)

The Emerald Lakes (Māori: Ngarotopounamu, lit. 'Pounamu-hued lakes') are a group of small lakes in Tongariro National Park, named for their distinctive colour. The lakes are the result of water filling explosion craters near the summit of Mount Tongariro, with the colour coming from minerals dissolved from the surrounding landscape, particularly calcium carbonate.

The lakes are visible to hikers on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing when they begin their descent from the highest point of that track, at an altitude of 1,886 metres (6,188 ft).

The lakes have previously been infested with Juncus bulbosus, invasive to New Zealand, however since 2019 the New Zealand Department of Conservation have sought to control the weed, which has decreased to undetectable levels due to this work.

See also

References

  1. ^ McSaveney, Eileen. "Landscapes – overview - The volcanic region". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture & Heritage. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  2. "Tongariro Alpine Crossing | nationalpark.co.nz". National Park Villages. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  3. "Tongariro Alpine Crossing". New Zealand. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  4. "Discover the wonders of the iconic Emerald and Blue Lakes in Tongariro". The Park. 20 May 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  5. "Emerald Lakes freed of weed". Wilderness Mag. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.


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