Re:Won't the plastic last despite the sulfur... (Score 1)

The White Island is a truly hostile environment. When I went with a tour group, you weren't allowed back on the boat without washing your shoes - apparently the acid in the ash really screws up the boat fixtures and flooring. The - very cute - tour guide mentioned she and her fellow guides go through tons of cheap shoes and t-shirts which rot like crazy. There's some good pictures of the white island here: http://www.davidrainey.com/travel/nzgallery2.html third picture down and onwards. KS