Friday, June 13, 2014

Cold Geyser


 

These are the Analavory Geysers located near Lake Itasy, on the island of Madagascar (Africa).  These geysers are quite unique as they are not linked to underground volcanic activity. Most geysers are a result of superheated water that is forced up by steam.  There are about four geysers in the area near aragonite mines. Oddly enough,  the geysers aren't a natural occurrence.   They are created by an excess water (rich with carbonic acid) from mines that is removed by metal pipes. At the end of the pipeline, the abrupt decrease in pressure caused causes the dissolved carbon dioxide gas to erupt into bubbles fabricating a geyser like phenomenon.  The water is rich with lime and iron (as the water dissolves the pipes and lime).  It forms mounds more than 13 feet high and continuing to grow.
The carbonated water spouts about 1 foot most of the time, but when vents are blocked a bit by lime, the build up of pressure can create a spout over 3 feet high.  Before this became a tourist attraction,  the Malagasy people came to perform ancestral rites to improve fertility and disease.  It is believed

 
 




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