A Brief Note On The Volcanic Rock Rhyolite - 1109 Words

Though that sounds simple, geysers are extremely rare. As of August 2008, the total of active geysers on earth numbered approximately 1000. Conditions must be just right for geysers to occur. Three components must be present for geysers to exist: a combining supply of water, an intense source of heat, and immense plumbing system. Water is common in nature, heat can come from volcanic activity. Geysers scientists and geologists have identified the volcanic rock rhyolite as being particularly effective for the conditions of this hot spring . Rhyolite is high in silica, which can produce a compacted seal along the walls of the geyser plumbing. Most Geyser proximities are found in rhyolite or similar silica-laden rocks. The mixture of water,†¦show more content†¦While that might seem like a long way down, magma underneath a geyser field is actually relatively close to the Earth s surface. There are different reasons why the magma is so close to the Earth s surface, though many g eyser fields are located on the edges of the Earth s tectonic plates. These plates, which compose the Earth s lithosphere, are constantly in motion, creating major inadequacies and generating tremendous energy (Oxford New World Dictionary). This activity can cause earthquakes and volcanoes, and it can also create heat sources for geysers. The process begins as water migrates to the geyser s plumbing system through a variety of crevices in the ground. Since the plumbing system is miles deep, the water at the bottom of the geyser s plumbing is under incredible pressure from the water above it. If more pressure pushes down on the water, water needs more and more energy (in the form of heat) to overcome that pressure and start pushing bubbles to the surface. This explains why water inside a pressure cooker can reach temperatures of more than 125 degrees Celsius (257 degrees Fahrenheit), while the boiling point of water at standard pressure is only 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahren heit). The massive pressures placed on water are what you could probably refer to as a Geyser s own functional plumbing system. Water in such a system can reach incredibly high temperatures (and store incredible