What is the relationship of volcanoes to hot springs, to geysers,
and to geothermal energy?
Mark Zevenbergen
Dear Mark,
Most, but not all, hot springs, geysers, and geothermal energy resources
are related to volcanoes. Near volcanoes, magma heats the surrounding
rocks. When water percolates through these rocks it is heated. The hot
water circulates to the surface to make hot springs. There are hot
springs associated with Long Valley Caldera
in California. If the "plumbing" conditions are right the water shots
into the air to make a geyser. Yellowstone
is famous for geysers. Geothermal energy
uses the heat in the water to generate steam and drive turbines.
Hot
Springs National Park is an example where the heat is non-volcanic.
The water is heated by circulating deep beneath the surface and then
rising along faults.
Steve Mattox, University of North Dakota
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