GEOL 104 Lecture Notes - Septic Tank, Overdraft, Geothermal Gradient
17 Feb 2012
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Hot springs - brings hot water to the surface. Geothermal gradient - water goes to depth before discharge. Hot rocks near the surface - yellowstone, iceland, new zealand e. t. c. Geysers - brings hot water and steam to the surface at intervals. Water fills subsurface cavities and is heated. Boiling point increases with depth, reaching 230c at 300m depth. Somewhere within the piping system of the geyser, water reaches the boiling point and a little system is produced. Since steam takes more volume, a little water is psyched out of the geyser. Due to the water outflow, pressure is reduced and thus boiling point is reduced. Large amounts of water suddenly flash to steam and eruption occurs. Note: take note of the importance of pressure in this system gets closer to water level: mexico city is sinking, long beach, california, groundwater contamination. They are pumping oil, and the same thing will occur. Water bubbles to the surface due to a fault.
