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Hot Spring Facts & Worksheets

A hot spring, hydrothermal, or geothermal spring is formed by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater onto the Earth's surface. Hot spring water frequently has a high concentration of dissolved minerals.

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A hot spring, hydrothermal, or geothermal spring is formed by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater onto the Earth’s surface. Hot spring water frequently has a high concentration of dissolved minerals. The US NOAA Geophysical Data Center identifies a “warm spring” as a spring with a water temperature between 20 to 50 °C (68 and 122 °F).

See the fact file below for more information on Hot Springs, or you can download our 29-page Hot spring worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

OVERVIEW

  • Groundwater is heated by either shallow masses of magma (molten rock) or fault-based circulation to hot rock deep below the Earth’s crust. In both cases, the ultimate source of heat is the radioactive decay of natural radioactive elements in the Earth’s mantle, a layer under the crust.
  • Hot spring chemistry spans from acid sulfate springs with pH as low as 0.8 to alkaline chloride springs saturated with silica and bicarbonate springs saturated with carbon dioxide and carbonate minerals. Some springs can have a lot of dissolved iron.
  • Hot spring minerals frequently feed populations of extremophiles, microbes adapted to harsh circumstances, and it is probable that life on Earth originated in hot springs.
  • For thousands of years, humans have used hot springs for bathing, relaxation, and medicinal therapy. Yet, some are hot enough that immersion can be dangerous, resulting in scorching and, in extreme cases, death.
  • Many sources define a “warm spring” as a spring with a water temperature less than that of a hot spring, though Pentecost et al. (2003) argue that the phrase “warm spring” is useless and should be avoided.

SOURCE OF HEAT

  • Water erupting from a hot spring is geothermally heated, that is, using heat created by the Earth’s mantle. This happens in two ways. Magma (molten rock) may be found at shallow depths in the Earth’s crust in places of significant volcanic activity.
  • These shallow magma bodies heat the groundwater, causing it to rise to the surface and appear as a hot spring.
  • Even in locations where there is no volcanic activity, the temperature of rocks within the ground rises with depth. 
  • The geothermal gradient is the rate at which temperature rises with depth. Water that percolates deep enough into the crust is heated when it comes into contact with hot rock. A geyser is a hot spring that spews water and steam on occasion. If a hot spring links to a large natural cistern near such a volcanic body, the magma might superheat the water in the cistern, raising its temperature over boiling point.
  • The water will not instantly boil because the weight of the surrounding water above the cistern pressurizes the cistern and prevents it from boiling.
  • Nevertheless, as the superheated water expands, the part will rise to the top, lowering the pressure in the cistern.
  • This causes part of the water in the cistern to boil, forcing additional water out of the hot spring. As the cistern empties, a large volume of water and steam is violently released from the hot spring, resulting in a runaway scenario. 
  • The cistern subsequently fills with colder water, and the cycle begins again.
  • Geysers require a natural cistern as well as an adequate source of colder water to refill the cistern after each eruption. If the water supply is scarce, the water boils as quickly as it can gather and only reaches the surface as steam, the outcome is a fumarole. A mud pot forms when thermal water combines with mud and clay.

CHEMISTRY

  • Hot spring water frequently has a high mineral concentration, holding anything from calcium to lithium and even radium, because heated water stores more dissolved particles than cold water.
  • The chemistry of hot springs spans from alkaline chloride to acid sulfate to bicarbonate to iron-rich, with each representing an end member of a spectrum of possible hot spring chemistries.
  • Hydrothermal fluids arise when groundwater containing absorbed chloride ions combines with silicate rocks at high temperatures, feeding alkaline chloride hot springs. These springs have a nearly neutral pH but are high in silica (SiO2).
  • Since silica’s solubility is very temperature dependent, silica is deposited as geyserite, a kind of opal (opal-A: SiO2nH2O), as it cools. Because this process is gradual, geyserite does not accumulate immediately around the vent but instead forms a low, wide platform for some distance around the spring entrance.
  • Hydrothermal fluids rich in hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are used to supply acid sulfate hot springs, which are then oxidized to produce sulfuric acid, H2SO4, decreasing the pH of the fluids to as low as 0.8. The acid interacts with rock, transforming it into clay minerals, oxide minerals, and a silica residue.
  • Hydrothermal fluids are created when carbonate rocks combine with carbon dioxide (CO2), and freshwater feeds bicarbonate hot springs. 
  • When the fluids hit the surface, CO2 is rapidly lost, and carbonate minerals crystallize as travertine, causing bicarbonate hot springs to form high-relief structures around their openings.
  • Microbial communities present in iron-rich springs form clumps of oxidized iron from iron within hydrothermal fluids fueling the spring.

ECOSYSTEMS

  • Hot springs frequently support populations of microbes that have evolved to live in hot, mineral-rich water. They include thermophiles, a kind of extremophile that lives at high temperatures ranging from 45 to 80 °C (113 to 176 °F).
  • Farther from the vent, where the water has had time to cool and precipitate some of its mineral load, circumstances favor species adapted to less harsh conditions. This provides a series of microbial communities as one proceeds further from the vent, which in some aspects mirrors the distinct phases in the evolution of early life.
  • In a bicarbonate hot spring, for example, the population of organisms immediately around the vent is dominated by filamentous thermophilic bacteria like Aquifex and Aquificales that oxidize sulfide and hydrogen to gain energy for their life activities. 
  • Farther away from the vent, when water temperatures have dropped to 60 °C (140 °F), the surface is covered with 1 cm (0.39 in) thick microbial mats dominated by cyanobacteria including Spirulina, Oscillatoria, and Synechococcus, as well as green sulfur bacteria like Chloroflexus. 
  • All these species can photosynthesize; however, green sulfur bacteria create sulfur rather than oxygen during photosynthesis.
  • Conditions are excellent for a diverse community of microorganisms, including Spirulina, Calothrix, diatoms, and other single-celled eukaryotes, as well as grazing insects and protozoans further away from the vent when temperatures dip below 45 °C (113 °F). Higher plants appear when temperatures drop near those of the surroundings.
  • The succession of organism communities in alkali chloride hot springs is similar, with diverse thermophilic bacteria and archaea at the hottest sections of the vent. 
  • Acid sulfate hot springs reveal a somewhat distinct cycle of microorganisms, highlighted by acid-tolerant algae (such as members of Cyanidiophyceae), fungi, and diatoms.
  • Iron-rich hot springs support photosynthesizing organisms that convert reduced (ferrous) iron to oxidized (ferric) iron.
  • Hot springs are a steady supply of water that provides a rich chemical environment. This contains decreased chemical species that microbes can use as an energy source.

HUMAN USES

  • Hot springs have been known and used by humans for thousands of years. Nonhuman primates, such as macaques, have been observed extending their northern range into Japan by exploiting hot springs to shield themselves from cold stress.
  • Hot spring baths (onsen) have been used in Japan for at least two thousand years, originally for cleaning and relaxation but increasingly for medicinal purposes.
  • The popularity of hot springs has varied over through the ages, but they are presently popular all around the world.
  • Due to the mythology and alleged medical benefits of particular hot springs, they are frequently attractive tourist attractions as well as rehabilitation centers for people with disabilities. The scientific basis for therapeutic soaking in hot springs, on the other hand, is debatable.
  • Hot bath therapy for lead poisoning was prevalent and allegedly effective in the 18th and 19th centuries, possibly owing to diuresis (increased output of urine), which enhanced the elimination of lead, improved eating and separation from lead sources, and a higher intake of calcium and iron.
  • Spa treatment trials have shown significant improvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, although these research have methodological flaws, such as the evident impracticality of placebo-controlled experiments. As a result, the therapeutic efficacy of hot spring treatment is yet unknown.

Hot Spring Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Hot Springs across 29 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Hot Springs. A hot spring, hydrothermal, or geothermal spring is formed by the emergence of geothermally heated groundwater onto the Earth’s surface. Hot spring water frequently has a high concentration of dissolved minerals.

Hot Spring Worksheets
Hot Spring Worksheets
Hot Spring Worksheets

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Hot Spring Facts
  2. Words Connect
  3. Got the Answer?
  4. What’s My Definition?
  5. True or False?
  6. Solve the Puzzle
  7. Must Visit
  8.  Let’s Watch and Understand
  9. 1, 2, 3, Action!
  10. Roman Hot Spring
  11. Replica

Frequently Asked Questions

What are hot springs?

Hot springs are natural bodies of water that are heated by geothermal energy beneath the earth’s surface. The water in hot springs is usually rich in minerals and may have therapeutic properties.

What causes hot springs to form?

Hot springs form when groundwater is heated by geothermal energy and rises to the surface. The heat comes from magma chambers or other sources of geothermal activity deep within the earth.

What are the benefits of soaking in hot springs?

Soaking in hot springs can have a number of potential benefits. The heat and minerals in the water can help to relax muscles, relieve stress, and soothe joint pain. Some people also believe that hot springs can boost circulation and improve skin health.

Are hot springs safe to visit?

Hot springs can be safe to visit, but it’s important to be cautious. The water in hot springs can be extremely hot and can cause burns, so it’s important to test the temperature before getting in. In addition, some hot springs may contain dangerous bacteria or other hazards, so it’s important to research the area and follow any posted safety guidelines.

Where are some famous hot springs located?

Hot springs can be found all over the world, but some famous examples include the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, Banff Upper Hot Springs in Canada, and Pamukkale in Turkey. In the United States, popular hot springs destinations include Yellowstone National Park, Pagosa Springs in Colorado, and the hot springs in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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