What is a hot spring and how do they form?

A hot spring is a geothermally heated water source that emerges from the ground. They are often associated with fault lines and volcanic or magmatic systems that heat underground water. As the water travels and surfaces, it can deposit minerals like calcium carbonate to create unique geological formations such as travertine terraces.

What we know

• Hot springs consist of clusters of geothermally heated water sources that often emerge along fault lines. [2]
• Some hot springs are fueled by underground magmatic systems that heat water circulating through rock formations. [4]
• As hot spring water cools, it can deposit minerals like calcium carbonate, forming travertine terraces and natural dams. [4, 5]
• Shallow circulation along underground corridors allows superheated water to cool slightly before surfacing. [4]

Where to go next

• how it workedHow do fault lines influence thermal water movement?
• a case in pointWhat are travertine terraces?
• how we knowHow does Mammoth Hot Springs work?
• the bigger pictureWhat is geothermal energy?
• whereWhere is Gilman Hot Springs located?
• an unexpected connectionHow can an earthquake alter a hot spring?Minor earthquake activity can shift hot spring vents and render famous mineral terraces completely dry.

Sources

• [1]Gilman Hot Springs (Wikidata Q123532633) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Gilman Hot Springs · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Dunton Hot Springs · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Mammoth Hot Springs · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Soda Dam Hot Spring · CC BY-SA 4.0