Thermal Activity Beneath Lake Tarawera, New Zealand, Outlined by Temperature Measurements

Abstract

Temperaturc soundings to ca. 2m dcpth have been made into the bed of Lake Tarawera at 45 sites. Temperature differences between lake bottom and lm depth were determined by interpolation after correction for seasonal and measurement-related disturbances. Thermal activity is indicated by temperatures anomalies (elevated by up to l0C above lake floor temperature) in a zone close to the northern coast, and in another in the south of the lake near Lake Rotomahana. Slightly anomalous temperatures (by up to 0.36 OC) are found near the western shore of the lake. These temperature anomalies are smallcr than those of thermal areas under Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotomahana, survey previously.