White Island (Whakaari). Volcano Mouth

The White Island volcano is part of the Taupo volcanic zone and has been known to mankind for 150,000 years. The ancient Maori, who inhabited the islands of New Zealand, called it Te-Puia-o-Whakaari, “a striking volcano.”

Even then, the indigenous people extracted sulfur for fertilizing land. In modern history, an attempt was also made to bring production to the industrial level, but it was unsuccessful when in 1914, lahar flows killed 10 workers and excavations were abandoned. This is the only active marine volcano of the country, and perhaps the most accessible on Earth, in its own way, and it attracts world volcanologists.