Volcanic Features
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Geysers
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A geyser is a hot spring that periodically erupts, throwing water and steam into the air. The eruption is the result of super-heated water underground being trapped in channels leading to the surface.
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The hottest temperatures are found beneath these channels but the deep water cannot vaporize because of the weight of the water above. Instead, steam is sent upwards in the form of bubbles, collecting in the channel's tight spots until they essentially become clogged.
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This eventually leads to a point where the confined bubbles actually lift the water to the top and causing the geyser to overflow. As the eruption continues, the heat and pressure gradually decrease, and the eruption stops when the water reservoir is depleted or the steam runs out. This causes the pressure to decrease until suddenly violent boiling occurs throughout much the length of the column, producing a tremendous volume of steam which forces the water out of the vent in a superheated mass.
Workings of a geyser -
As of December 2005, the total of active geysers on earth number approximately 1000. These three components allow geysers to occur:
- An abundant supply of water ¨C Water is common in nature.
- Intense sources of heat - Heat can come from volcanic ability . Volcanic heat and abundant water have been increasingly harnessed to turn turbines for electricity production. Geothermal energy can be produced at any site where volcanic heat and water are readily available.
- Unfortunately, geyser fields are ideal for this type of energy production. Geothermal energy production not only disrupts the geysers' water, it also destroys geyser activity. A growing threat to geysers comes from mineral extraction as well. Hot groundwater may precipitate gold or other valuable minerals, and extraction may require removing the geyser plumbing itself. As a result, several geyser fields have been destroyed and many others are being threatened.
- Unique plumbing - For water to be thrown into the air, geyser plumbing must be water and pressure tight. Geyser scientists and observers have identified the volcanic rock rhyolite as being particularly effective at hosting geysers. Rhyolite is high in silica, which can deposit a water-tight seal along the walls of the geyser plumbing.
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Hot Springs
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Hot springs are distinguished by the minerals dissolved in the water of the hot spring. Different health benefits are provided by different mineral salts, and most hot springs has a relaxing effect on the body and mind.
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Formation of hot springs:
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The water is issued out by the hot spring and is heated by a geothermal heat which is from the Earth¡¯s interior. The rock¡¯s temperature within the earth increases with depth. The rate of this increment is known as the geothermal gradient.
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If the water seeps into the depths of the crust of the Earth, it will be heated as it comes into contact with those hot rocks. The water from the hot springs in a non-volcanic zone is heated in this process.
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Hot springs in volcanic zone is formed when the water is heated by coming into contact with the magma, molten rock. Near the magma, the high temperature gradient may cause the water to be heated comfortably to boil or become superheated. There may be a chance for steam pressure to develop and erupts in a jet on top of the surface of the Earth, called geyser.
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If the water reaches only the surface of the Earth to form steam, fumaroles is formed. Mud pot is formed when the water is mixed with clay and mud. Hot springs in volcanic zones are mostly at or near the boiling point. Users may be burned or scalded and even killed accidentally or intentionally in the hot springs.
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The Mammoth Hot Springs -
