Hot Springs

geology · earth science · natural wonders · water

Heated by Earth's core. Hot springs get their warmth from magma (melted rock) close to the surface or from groundwater that travels deep down through cracks in Earth's crust where it gets cooked by hot rocks.

Emerges as heated water. When this scorching groundwater finds its way back up through the ground, it shoots out as a hot spring, sometimes so hot it could cook food.

Found near volcanoes. Hot springs are most common in places with lots of volcanic activity, like Iceland, New Zealand, and Yellowstone National Park in the United States.

Creates colorful landscapes. Hot springs often have brilliant blues, greens, and oranges because of special heat-loving bacteria and minerals that thrive in the hot water.

Humans love them. People have bathed in hot springs for thousands of years because the warm water feels amazing and some believe it has health benefits.