When rainwater falls to Earth, it seeps into cracks in the rocks and trickles deep underground. In some places, hot magma from Eartha's mantle heats the water up to almost 400 (200 degrees C). The heated rainwater then rises back up to the surface and emerges as vapour or water through hot springs, mud pools, or geysers. Of all these phenomena that occur in volcanic areas, geysers are the most spectacular. The word 'geyser' comes from an Icelandic word that means 'gushing spray.' Geysers can shoot enormous jets of steam and hot water high into the air. Most of these 'water volcanoes' are located in areas where magma is close to Eartha's surface. Geysers are mainly found in Iceland, New Zealand, and the United States, whose famous Yellowstone National Park is home to more than 10, 000 geysers!. |