[Geysers] Experiences with El Tatio geyser field?

[Udo Freund]

GOSA Transactions Volume VIII contains an in-depth, 47-page article written
on El Tatio by Alan Glennon and Rhonda Pfaff. I highly recommend purchasing
a copy from GOSA if you don't have access to one. Member price is $30
postpaid.

 

https://www.gosa.org/catalog/gosa00/T8.htm

 

The Extraordinary Thermal Activity of El Tatio Geyser Field, Chile - A
Special Report

Alan Glennon and Rhonda Pfaff

Abstract: El Tatio Geyser Field (locally known as Los Geiseres del Tatio) is
located within the Andes Mountains of northern Chile at 4,200 meters above
mean sea level, 150 kilometers east, southeast of Calama, Chile. With over
80 active geysers, El Tatio is the largest geyser field in the southern
hemisphere and the third largest field in the world, following Yellowstone,
USA, and Dolina Geizerov, Russia. From March 19-21, 2002, the authors
visited the geothermal field to inventory the geysers and their behavior. Of
over 110 erupting springs documented, more than 80 were identified as true
geysers and an additional 30 were perpetual spouters. Despite reports that
geyser activity occurred only in the morning, no abatement in activity was
observed at any time within any part of the field. Although the observed
activity was vigorous, eruptions commonly reached less than one meter. Of
the erupting springs cataloged, the mean spouting height was 69 centimeters.
Of the true geysers cataloged, the eruptions averaged 76 centimeters. El
Tatio Geyser Field contains approximately 8 percent of the world's geysers.

 

 

Thanks, 
Udo Freund 
"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit
there."  --Will Rogers

 

From: geysers-bounces at lists.wallawalla.edu
[mailto:geysers-bounces at lists.wallawalla.edu] On Behalf Of Bill Johnson
Sent: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 1:00 PM
To: Geysers at lists.wallawalla.edu
Subject: [Geysers] Experiences with El Tatio geyser field?

 

And now, for a break from the depths of Northern Hemisphere winter, a
request for help on a very non-Northern Hemisphere subject...

 

My wife and I are planning a trip to Chile this spring that, if all goes
well, will include a visit to the El Tatio geyser field.  I would be very
interested in corresponding with any gazers who have been to El Tatio, to
try to get a better sense of how to get the most out of this experience from
a gazer's perspective.  We will be rather constrained on time, and won't be
able to spend multiple days there waiting for fun stuff, but it won't be a
Yellowstone-tourist touch-and-go visit to Old Faithful, either.  We have the
advantage of already living at high elevation, so we won't be quite as
limited by the fact that El Tatio is at REALLY high elevation as we might,
although it'll obviously still be a factor.  We do have TSB's book (of
course) and will all but memorize what he has to say about the place.

 

Any insights appreciated.  Suggest conducting this by private e-mail, as
it's probably of reduced interest to most list members, unless there's more
interest in El Tatio than I'm aware of.  Needless to say, we'll write
something up for the Sput when we get back, if there's anything to write
about.

 

-- Bill Johnson

canbelto(at)gmail.com

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