These small lakes nested at the foot of Red
Crater are well named: they adorn the whole mountain like gems
on a beautiful garment. They were formed less than 1800 years
ago by the explosive reaction of surface water at the contact
of magma.
The vivid colour of the water is caused by chemical agents (sulfur,
ammonium, chloride) carried by gases as well as by leachates from
the surrounding volcanic rocks.
From there the track plunges steeply right into the Oturere Valley.
