A hot spring or a hydrothermal spring is a
place where warm or hot groundwater issues from the earth on a
regular basis for at least a predictable part of the year, and
is significantly above the ambient ground temperature
The water issuing from a hot spring is heated by geothermal
heat, essentially heat from the Earth's interior. In general, the temperature of
rocks within the earth increases with depth. The rate of temperature increase
with depth is known as the geothermal gradient. If water percolates deeply
enough into the crust, it will be heated as it comes into contact with hot
rocks. The water from hot springs in non-volcanic areas is heated in this
manner.
Because heated water can hold more dissolved solids, warm
and especially hot springs also often have a very high mineral content,
containing everything from simple calcium to lithium, and even radium. Because
of both the folklore and the proven medical value some of these springs have,
they are often popular tourist destinations, and locations for rehabilitation
clinics for those with disabilities.
Home
Page
A hot spring or a hydrothermal spring is a
place where warm or hot groundwater issues from the earth on a
regular basis for at least a predictable part of the year, and
is significantly above the ambient ground temperature
The water issuing from a hot spring is heated by geothermal
heat, essentially heat from the Earth's interior. In general, the temperature of
rocks within the earth increases with depth. The rate of temperature increase
with depth is known as the geothermal gradient. If water percolates deeply
enough into the crust, it will be heated as it comes into contact with hot
rocks. The water from hot springs in non-volcanic areas is heated in this
manner.
Because heated water can hold more dissolved solids, warm
and especially hot springs also often have a very high mineral content,
containing everything from simple calcium to lithium, and even radium. Because
of both the folklore and the proven medical value some of these springs have,
they are often popular tourist destinations, and locations for rehabilitation
clinics for those with disabilities.
