The fascinating and complex dynamics of geyser eruptions
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Open Access Version: Publisher Index Page
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Geysers episodically erupt liquid and vapor. Despite two centuries of scientific study, basic questions persist—why do geysers exist? What determines eruption intervals, durations, and heights? What initiates eruptions? Through monitoring eruption intervals, analyzing geophysical data, taking measurements within geyser conduits, performing numerical simulations, and constructing laboratory models, some of these questions have been addressed. Geysers are uncommon because they require a combination of abundant water recharge, magmatism, and rhyolite flows to supply heat and silica, and large fractures and cavities overlain by low-permeability materials to trap rising multiphase and multicomponent fluids. Eruptions are driven by the conversion of thermal to kinetic energy during decompression. Larger and deeper cavities permit larger eruptions and promote regularity by isolating water from weather variations. The ejection velocity may be limited by the speed of sound of the liquid + vapor mixture.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | The fascinating and complex dynamics of geyser eruptions |
| Series title | Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences |
| DOI | 10.1146/annurev-earth-063016-015605 |
| Volume | 45 |
| Year Published | 2017 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Annual Reviews |
| Contributing office(s) | National Research Program - Western Branch |
| Description | 29 p. |
| First page | 31 |
| Last page | 59 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |