Assessment of the surface heat loss from Waimangu Geothermal Valley: Comparison of terrestrial based assessment techniques with remote sensing

The Waimangu Geothermal Valley (WGV) is the youngest geothermal area in New Zealand. It was formed as a result of the 1886 Tarawera Rift eruption and contains the world's largest hot pool (Frying Pan Lake), numerous hot springs, fumaroles and areas of steam heated ground. Assessments of surface heat loss from geothermal systems can provide information and insight into the size and character of the underlying geothermal resource, and, provides a monitoring tool to help assess increases or decreases in activity in the geothermal system. Historically, many different methods have been used to measure heat loss that can result in a wide range of estimates.