 |
photo by Christine Nguyen
|
The Tatio Geysers are at the height of their
activity between 5 a.m and 7:30 a.m. To make sure that visitors
are present for the geological phenomenon, most tours leave
San Pedro at 3:30 a.m. view
panorama
|
|
|
The Tatio Geysers are one of the most popular geological attractions
in the Atacama region. At over 14,000 feet (4,300 meters) above
sea level, the Tatio geysers are the highest geothermal phenomena
of their kind in the world.
Thousands of visitors each year visit the Tatio caldera to observe
its numerous geysers and fumaroles. The ideal time to view the geysers
is during the early morning hours, when the air is very cold.
Tatio has several small geysers, fumaroles, and a series of hot
springs, but none is as big nor erupts as frequently as Yellowstone
National Park's Old Faithful. Visitors can soak in one of the hot
pools, and the entire caldera is unrestricted, allowing visitors
to walk wherever they like, although this freedom has led to serious
accidents in the past.
Geysers are relatively rare and temporary geological
features that require a specific set of geological conditions to
exist: (1) an intense source of heat, (2) an abundant supply of
water, (3) a water-tight, high-pressure chamber to contain the water
until an eruption. The water is heated in subterranean chambers
to temperatures around 284 degrees Fahrenheit (140 degrees Celsius)
by liquid hot magma. The heated water and water vapor then emerges
to the surface through fissures and cracks in the rock. After being
expelled, colder water flows back into the chamber and the process
begins again.
 |
photo by Mónica Vicuña M.
|
The geysers are located within a crater of
the volcano El Tatio. view
slideshow |
|
Multimedia |
Geysers | video
| |
|
|