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The only visitable volcano of New Zealand where the peaks of two stratovolcanoes overlap each other and form a unique vista, the White Island Volcano in New Zealand is about fifty kilometers away from Whakatane, and is still a privately owned property. Its basically at the northern tip of Taupo Rotorua volcanic zone. This is the most active volcano of New Zealand. The volcano is always fuming with either white feathery smoke or clouds of ash, which is perceptible from miles around. The crust of the island is full of boiling pools, acid holes, steam vent s and gaseous emissions. It is believed by the natives of the land that these are the openings through ehich a geothermal balance is maintained otherwise eruptions would have been possible in the mainland of New Zealand. The White island was named by Captain Cook in 1769 because the place always emitted dense white cloud of smoke. The place also has a Maori name called Whakaari which means to make visible. Previously , before the coming of Europeans the island acted as a base for the Maori people to look for food and a hunting ground of sea birds. The island had always remained a private property since the colonial times. Owners got changed many a times. In between the early nine tees the island was mined for sulphur but a severe explosion in 1931 took the lives of eleven men due to vicious flare-up. Now lets come to the most interesting part of the article. Being in New Zealand and not visiting the White Island Volcano is simply not done. Many tour operators arranges for flying sessions over the island, to provide the visitors with a scenic landscape beneath. The only way one can be on the island is with the help of a helicopter or by boat for which you need to have the permission to get down on the island and will be furnished with safety equipements.
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