Lady Knox Geyser, Geothermal attraction in Wai-O-Tapu, New Zealand
Lady Knox Geyser is a geyser in the Waikato thermal region that erupts with regular bursts of hot water. The site sits among hot springs and steaming vents that shape the surrounding landscape.
The geyser was discovered in 1901 when prisoners at an open institution found that adding certain substances triggered eruptions. This chance finding shaped how the site operates today.
The name honors Lady Constance Knox, daughter of a New Zealand Governor, reflecting colonial connections. Visitors can observe how this historical name remains tied to one of the region's most famous geothermal features.
The site has viewing platforms and pathways that let visitors watch safely from good vantage points. It helps to arrive early and be mindful of steam and hot surfaces around the area.
Unlike other geysers in the region, this one is triggered by human intervention rather than purely natural geological processes. This management creates a predictable display that sets it apart from wild, unpredictable geysers elsewhere.
Location: Waikato Region
GPS coordinates: -38.35080,176.37700
Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:53
Geysers represent some of the most visible expressions of hydrothermal activity, occurring where underground water reservoirs are heated by magmatic sources. Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming holds more than half of the world's known geysers, including Old Faithful with its reliable eruptions every 90 minutes and Steamboat, the tallest active geyser on Earth. Iceland offers the Haukadalur Valley, home to the namesake Geysir and Strokkur, which erupts every few minutes. The high plateau of El Tatio in Chile sits at 14,100 feet (4,300 meters) and forms the highest elevation geyser field in the world. Other notable locations include the Whakarewarewa thermal area in Rotorua on New Zealand's North Island, where the Pohutu geyser performs regularly, and the Valley of Geysers in Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. These sites demonstrate the ongoing volcanic activity beneath the Earth's surface and attract visitors interested in observing natural thermal phenomena. Eruption patterns vary in frequency and intensity, with some geysers following predictable schedules while others remain irregular.
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