Centennial Park Rotorua, cherry blossom time in late September is brief.

A brief violent volcanic episode 220,000 years ago blasted ignimbrite all over the show bringing into existence the Mamaku Plateau. Cavernous magma reservoirs a few kilometres below the current position of Rotorua emptied as the whole area collapsed, leaving a giant circular caldera.

The eruption lasted two to three weeks. The entire blooming period of cherry blossoms is the same. Enjoy the blooms while you can. Forces responsible for the depression, partially filled by lake Rotorua are building again.

Looking up towards the caldera rim.