What's UP WITH GEYSERS?GEYSERS ARE RARE GEOLOGICAL FEATURES usually associated with volcanic terrains volcanic rocks with extremely high silica content. THERE ARE 600 TO 700 GEYSERS THAT ARE REPORTED TO EXIST IN THE WORLD TODAY. 400 TO 500 OF THOSE ARE IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. GEYSERS FORM IN AREAS WHERE GROUNDWATER CAN CIRCULATE SEVERAL THOUSAND FEET DEEP IN THE EARTH CRUST AND BE HEATED BY A VOLCANIC HEAT SOURCE. A SPECIAL SET OF GEOLOGIC REQUIREMENTS ARE NEEDED FOR GEYSERS TO EXIST: 1- A VOLCANIC HEAT SOURCE, MOLTEN ROCK (MAGMA), NEAR THE SURFACE, 2- WATER THAT CAN CIRCULATE NEAR THE HEAT SOURCE AND BECOME SUPERHEATED, 3- A PLUMBING SYSTEM . THOUGH THESE CONDITIONS INDIVIDUALLY ARE NOT UNUSUAL, IT IS THE COMBINATION OF THESE CONDITIONS TOGETHER THAT IS APPARENTLY RARE.
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