Researchers claimed the rediscovery of the eighth natural wonder of the world, the Pink and White Terraces in New Zealand. A volcanic eruption in 1886 ruined the terraces.
The Pink and White Terraces situated in the North Island of New Zealand became one of the greatest attractions in the world in the 1880s. These terraces of the Lake Rotomahana were famous for the cascading pools. This natural beauty lost its existence 131 years ago when Mount Tarawera's volcanic eruption drained the Lake Rotomahana and simultaneously covered the area with ash.
The Pink and White Terraces were no more visible after this volcanic eruption. But, two researchers in New Zealand believe they have finally succeeded to pointing out a location where these terraces probably exist under the surface. They think these cascading landforms may lie 10-15 meters below the surface and archaeological survey is necessary to explore the site.
A key researcher, Rex Bunn, revealed that the Pink and White Terraces became a major tourist attraction of the British Empire and southern hemisphere. Tourists from the America, Europe, and the UK came to visit the terraces, The Guardian reported. Another researcher, Dr. Sascha Nolden, and Bunn both believe that the volcanic eruption could not destroy these terraces, but buried them.
The researchers studied the famous geologist Ferdinand von Hochstetter's field diaries to explore the site of the terraces. The diaries of this German-Austrian famous geologist contain a minute detail about the location of the Pink and White Terraces before the volcanic eruption. Hochstetter was the great cartographer, and so the researchers mainly depended on the information provided by his diaries. The research study is currently available in the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand.
Researcher Rex Bunn revealed that offers are coming to conduct a survey about the Pink and White Terraces after the publication of their research study. They are trying to create a team and a funding of NZ$70, 000 to begin their work. The researchers have already interacted with the Tuhourangi Tribal Authority, the ancestral owners of the site, to avail their support while performing their work.
