Emerald Lakes

The Emerald Lakes (Māori: Ngā Rotopounamu, lit. 'Pounamu-hued lakes') are a group of small lakes in Tongariro National Park, named for their distinctive colour. The lakes are the result of water filling explosion craters near the summit of Mount Tongariro, with the colour coming from minerals dissolved from the surrounding landscape, particularly calcium carbonate. The lakes are visible to hikers on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing when they begin their descent from the highest point of that track...