What is the term for a hot spring that erupts due to heated gases and steam from below?

What is the term for a hot spring that erupts due to heated gases and steam from below?

• A. Geyser
• B. Hot Spring
• C. Mineral Spring
• D. Steam Vent

Answer: (A)

Geyser is the term for a hot spring that erupts because underground water is heated by magma, turning to steam and building pressure in a confined conduit. When that pressure becomes intense enough, the water flashes to steam and is violently expelled as an eruption. This bubbly, jetting behavior is what sets geysers apart from a regular hot spring, which simply releases hot water without erupting. Mineral springs are noted for mineral-rich water but don’t erupt, and steam vents mainly emit steam rather than a fountain of liquid water.

Geyser is the term for a hot spring that erupts because underground water is heated by magma, turning to steam and building pressure in a confined conduit. When that pressure becomes intense enough, the water flashes to steam and is violently expelled as an eruption. This bubbly, jetting behavior is what sets geysers apart from a regular hot spring, which simply releases hot water without erupting. Mineral springs are noted for mineral-rich water but don’t erupt, and steam vents mainly emit steam rather than a fountain of liquid water.