What is a geyser, ordinary people know mainly from school geography. Live this natural phenomenon has been seen by volcanologists, some tourists and residents of seismically active regions.
Terminology
By definition, a geyser is one of the manifestations of late volcanism, which is expressed in the periodic release of water into the air in a liquid or vapor state. In simple terms, this is a kind of source, gushing from under the ground with one or another periodicity. Geysers are mud, water and steam, depending on the temperature and the presence of impurities that are in the way of their eruption.
Despite the rather banal definition, in fact, this natural phenomenon is considered one of the most spectacular and mysterious on the planet. This is eloquently evidenced by the popularity of the most famous geysers, the flow of tourists to which does not dry out, despite a certain danger.
Process physics
In order to understand by what principle such a source works and where so much hot water comes from underground, one should turn to the study of volcanic activity. After all, geysers are mainly formed not by themselves, but near a more formidable and dangerous fellow. Moreover, the volcano does not have to be active. The most famous and spectacular geysers are in the place of dying or sleeping giants.
From the school curriculum, everyone knows that in the depths of our planet is red-hot magma. It is also known about her constant attempts to get out, sometimes it turns out that is accompanied by
volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. This process is very destructive and sometimes ends with a change in the landscape.
The sleeping volcano, like the active one, contains red-hot magma inside itself, but it does not go outside, waiting for its time and accumulating energy. But, as you know, the bowels of the earth are no less rich in water, which, breaking through to the surface, becomes springs, streams and even rivers. In order to understand what a geyser of a volcano is, you need to imagine the following. Suppose, at a certain distance from sleeping magma, one of the underground rivers flows . The water in it heats up, expands and tries to find a way out. In the end, she does it in the form of a fountain or a cloud of steam. It all depends on what temperature the heating has occurred to. It turns out that the volcano itself is sleeping, its energy is not enough to erupt magma, but it is enough to push out or even boil water.
Mud geyser
What is it, residents of settlements located near healing (and not only) thermal springs are well aware . Punching its way to the exit, water passes through the layers of various rocks, dissolving them. In the case when the fountain beats directly near the volcanic eruption, passing through layers of frozen magma, it often remains more or less transparent. Encountering softer and more supple rocks on the way, water mixes with them and a gurgling mud mass comes to the surface.
Quite often, it contains trace elements useful for humans, which, thanks to a comfortable temperature, form a thermal spring, ideal for treatment. Resorts built on the site of such geysers are rich in Europe (in particular, Bulgaria), North America, Australia and New Zealand. Eastern Siberia has great potential, where this industry is not yet very developed, but there are all the necessary prerequisites for this.
Is a geyser dangerous?
Despite all its beauty and mystery, this natural phenomenon is a vivid example of the unsurpassed power and energy lurking in the bowels of the earth. Sometimes a geyser is just a warm lake with water, periodically splashing onto the surface and looking quite peaceful and safe. Sometimes it is a multi-meter fountain, with all its strength and surprise bursting out. And it happens that a cloud of steam appears from under the earth with a whistle, giving the impression that the planet is “breathing”.
Therefore, in order to know how safe it is to be near such a source, it is necessary to understand what a geyser is in a particular case. And, being in the valley of an extinct volcano on excursions, be sure to listen to the recommendations of the guide. After all, the main danger of most geysers lies in their suddenness. As a rule, tourists are not allowed close to powerful and too hot fountains.
The most famous geysers of the planet
They are located mainly in zones of volcanic activity. If we consider the most remarkable in terms of entertainment and scale, then first of all you should pay attention to Yellowstone National Park in the United States. It represents a huge area on which about 500 geysers are concentrated, which makes up 60% of all the thermal springs of the planet. The largest of them is called Steamboat and reaches 120 meters.
A slightly smaller, but not inferior in entertainment Valley of Geysers located in Kamchatka. There are about 200 diverse sources. Looking at such greatness of nature, you can fully understand what a geyser is. A definition cannot convey this in words. The beautiful and at the same time magnificent game of water, steam and minerals is sometimes breathtaking.
Geyser Park in Iceland occupies the third place both in scale and in the number of sources. The maximum height of the fountains here reaches 60 meters. This is undoubtedly amazing, but the height of the geysers is twice as low as the Yellowstone Steamboat.
What is a geyser can be seen by visiting the states of Nevada and Alaska, where there are also a lot of them. They are famous for the North Island of New Zealand and Chile.
The most mysterious geyser
This status is deservedly received by the American Fly, located in Nevada. Due to its rich mineral composition, its environment has received a unique color. Fly is a collection of several fountains erupting from elevations formed by minerals, reaching 1.5 meters and continuing to grow.
It is noteworthy that the geyser was created by man (albeit by accident). Drillers came across an underground thermal spring at the beginning of the last century while trying to build a regular well. Currently, Fly is closed to tourists, but thanks to its height, the geyser is perfectly visible from the road.
To understand what a geyser is, theoretical knowledge is not enough. To represent all the beauty and power of this natural phenomenon, you must go on a trip to see it with your own eyes.