In Icelandic, the word geyser means gushing. This is the most accurate designation of hot springs that periodically emit fountains of water under high pressure. Jets of boiling water and clubs of steam are a stunning sight, and in our short review we will talk about the largest geysers on our planet.
TOP 12 of the largest geysers in the world:
1
Weimangu. New Zealand
In some sources, it is also called Waimangu, and he acted in New Zealand from 1899 to 1904.
In the history of the Earth, it is the most powerful and largest geyser, which during the period of activity threw out almost 800 tons of water, large and small stones to a height of 450 meters.
There was a tragic incident in its history when on the last day of August 1903 4 tourists came very close to the very edge of the geyser. All four curious tourists died as a result of an unexpected release of a huge mass of dirt.
2
Go out. New Zealand
In the New Zealand thermal park, Vakarevarea beats from under the ground a hot spring with the unusual name "Extinct".
In Maori, the name translates to "explosion." Indeed, every hour a geyser throws large streams of water, stones, and clubs of steam containing hydrogen sulfide to a height of 35 m.
Today it is the most famous geyser in the open spaces of New Zealand. The whole beautiful valley is one of the most visited natural sites of distant islands by tourists.
3
Valley of El Tatio. Chile
It is difficult to find a more beautiful place on earth than the lunar valley in the middle of the largest Atacama desert. After Kamchatka and Yellowstone, the Chilean valley is the third largest geyser field on the planet.
All springs hit a height of no more than 10 m, but the density of the hot springs of El Tatio has no equal in the world. This is the most visited place of tourists in the South American country.
Our editorial board of thebiggest.ru learned another interesting fact. Geysers begin to show activity just before dawn, and simultaneously “turn off” at 9 a.m.
4
Giant. Russia
The only geyser field in Eurasia is located among the volcanoes and hills of the Kamchatka Peninsula. The valley was discovered all over the world in the early 1940s by Soviet geologists.
One of the largest and most beautiful geysers of the valley is named Giant, because the height of the stream reaches almost 50 m. Giant activity can last from several hours to one day.
This is the most powerful geyser in Russia, as it throws out 30 tons of water in one minute of activity.
5
Strokkur. Iceland
In the valley of the Hvitau river in the south-west of Iceland, the most beautiful geyser Strokkur functions. Thousands of tourists come in the period of his activity to look at the miracle of nature.
This is one of the most active sources, as it is active every 5-7 minutes. Thicknesses of water rush into the sky to a height of 40 m.
Geyser activity is used by travel agencies to attract the attention of tourists, because you rarely see the constant activity of a hot spring.
6
Old servant. USA
They opened the famous geyser in the Yellowstone Valley in 1871, and then he got his unusual name.
It spews huge tons of water to a height of 32 to 50 m, and the duration of emissions lasts from 1 to 5 minutes. Photographers around the world take advantage of the predictability of the source, as it erupts every 35-120 minutes.
This is the most scientifically studied thermal source. In 1997, geologists were able to explore the underground channels of the "Old Servant", and find out that the water comes from great depths and is heated by volcanic heat.
By the way, on our site thebiggest.ru you can also admire beautiful photographs of volcanoes and their eruptions.
7
Grotto. Russia
The geyser Grotto, wrapped in mysticism and clubs, is comfortably located on the mountain ledge of the Vitrazh complex. In total, there are about 40 active hot springs in the Valley of Geysers of Kamchatka.
After research, scientists have confirmed that this is the source with the rarest type of emissions of water and steam. Hot water with a loud roar bursts from the Grotto cave and rises into the sky almost horizontally.
The height of the jet reaches 60 m, and this is one of the largest and most beautiful geysers of Kamchatka.
8
Giantess. USA
The hot spring with the romantic name "Giantess" infrequently pleases tourists with its eruptions, but in 2014, geologists noted increased activity.
At the time of the eruption, it raises water to a height of 60 m, and the eruption itself lasts from several hours to 2 days. Around are the evergreen forests of Yellowstone Park.
After the "Giantess" woke up in 2014, scientists note the frequency of eruptions from 1 to 6 times a year.
9
Hive. USA
A geyser located in Yellowstone got its name because of a toothed cone that spews water and steam.
The height of the jet sometimes reaches 61 m, and it exhibits activity several times a year. The duration of emissions lasts from 7 to 24 hours.
Interestingly, next to the beautiful hive geyser “Hive” there is a smaller source. His flow of water hits only 8 m, and he begins his activity 15-20 minutes before the eruption of his large brother begins.
10
Geysir. Iceland
In the south of Iceland, which is also called the country of geysers, the famous Haukadalur valley is located. Here you can see many hot springs, rushing into the sky water column.
One of the most beautiful and largest geysers is Geysir, which raises the water flow above the earth's surface to a height of 70 m. Due to its greatness and power, it is also called the Great or Big Geyser. It was this source that gave the name to all of its gather around the globe.
It has a peculiar character, and sometimes you should wait several years to see its eruption.
11
Giant. USA
An unusual geyser is located in Yellowstone, and the height of its column of water reaches 76 m.
It erupts with a frequency of 2 days to several months. During the period of geyser activity, one can observe a spectacular sight when tons of water with stones rush up under high pressure.
It is characterized by its inconstancy. It can wake up 13 times in one year. This was, for example, in 2013, and there are years when it is completely inactive.
12
Steamboat. USA
In the unique Yellowstone National Park, which is located in North America, the largest active geyser Steamboat beats from the ground.
In certain periods, the height of the mud column reaches 90 m, and the water temperature is 700 ° C. In addition, this is another of the most unpredictable geysers on the planet. From emissions can take from 4 days to 50 years.
At the source with the name “Steamboat” there are two openings, from which water and puffs of steam burst to the surface.
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Bonus Geysers of Europe
Given our love of space, thebiggest could not ignore cosmic bodies. The recent discovery of scientists shocked our imagination. According to recent estimates, there are geysers on Jupiter’s satellite in Europe that hit 200 kilometers in height.
This is one of the most interesting places in our Solar System. Under the many kilometers of ice crust, Europe lurks a huge ocean of water in which scientists hope to find life in the future. By the way, about the largest planetary moons read an interesting article on thebiggest.ru.
Conclusion
A large accumulation of geysers is located in the regions of modern volcanic activity, since they are a manifestation of the later stages of the volcanic process. One of the most famous in Europe, this is a spring in Karlovy Vary, lifting mineral water to a height of 12 m. Many large geysers ceased their activity, but were recorded in history, and today more than 10 thousand water and steam are being beaten out of the ground by underground water and steam. famous geysers.
Posted by Valery Skiba