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| − | [[Image:Geyser.jpg|thumb|300px|Castle Geyser erupts water and steam, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.]]
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| − | '''Geysers''' are [[hot spring]]s that episodically erupt fountains of scalding [[water]] and [[steam]]. Such eruptions occur as a consequence of [[groundwater]] being heated to its boiling temperature in a confined space (for example, a [[fracture (geography)|fracture]] or [[conduit]]). A slight decrease in pressure or an increase in temperature will cause some of the water to [[boil]]. The resulting steam forces overlying water up through the conduit and onto the ground. This loss of water further reduces pressure within the conduit system, and most of the remaining water suddenly converts to steam and erupts at the surface.
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| − | The most significant area for geysers in the [[United States of America]] is [[Yellowstone National Park]], with the best known being [[Old Faithful]].
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| − | ==Sources==
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| − | [http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/Products/Pglossary/geyser.html USGS Photo Glossary]
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| − | ==External Links==
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| − | *[http://www.geyserstudy.org/about.aspx Geyser Observation and Study Associaton (GOSA)] GOSA's purpose is the collection and dissemination of information about geysers and other geothermal phenomena in Yellowstone National Park and elsewhere.
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| − | *[http://mfile.akamai.com/27176/wmv/nationalpark.download.akamai.com/27176/prod/yell/photosmultimedia/video/insideyell/wmvs/256/0017b_why_geysers_here_256.asx How do Geysers Work?], Videos © 2007 Yellowstone Association
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| − | *[http://mfile.akamai.com/27176/wmv/nationalpark.download.akamai.com/27176/prod/yell/photosmultimedia/video/insideyell/wmvs/256/0017c_geyser_vs_hotspring_256.asx How Do You Tell a Geyser from a Hot Spring?], Videos © 2007 Yellowstone Association
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| − | [[Category:Volcanology]]
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