Geyser eruption intervals and interactions: Examples from El Tatio, Atacama, Chile

Abstract

We compare and contrast data collected in 2012 and 2014 from the El Tatio geyser field, Chile. We identify geyser systems that evolve over time, including changes in the interval between eruptions, development of new thermal features, and interactions between geysers. We study three different cases: (a) an isolated geyser, which is periodic and has nearly identical eruptions every cycle; (b) a geyser and coupled noneruptive pool, where the geyser has nonregular cycles and several preplay eruptions before the main eruption; and (c) two geysers and a mud volcano, which have nonregular cycles and are all interacting. Though geysers erupt with different styles, we recognize some common features: the conduit recharges with liquid during the quiescent period, bubbles enter the conduit before eruptions, and eruptions occur when water boils in the upper part of the conduit. The episodic addition of heat may govern the periodicity, while the depth where heat is added dictates the eruption style: conduits with deeper heat input are more likely to show preplay or minor eruptions. The interactions between thermal features can be explained by pressure transmission in subsurface permeable layers between geyser conduits.

The Fascinating and Complex Dynamics of Geyser Eruptions

“…In fact, drifting of the IBE over annual and decadal timescales is typical of geysers (e.g., Barth 1940). In the same El Tatio geyser field, there is a geyser that had regular eruptions in 2012 (Namiki et al 2014) but became bimodal in 2014; this same geyser also has regular preplay events, and the interval between preplay events did not change over this time period even though the IBE of main eruption varied (Munoz-Saez et al 2015b).…”

“…Uncontroversial is the observation that regional and distant earthquakes can change the IBE (e.g., Marler 1964, Marler & White 1975, Hutchinson 1985, Husen et al 2004 or initiate a switch from a unimodal to a bimodal IBE (Silver & Valette-Silver 1992). Nearby geysers can also influence each other-through pressure changes in the subsurface (e.g., Ingebritsen & Rojstaczer 1996, Munoz-Saez et al 2015b. Based on several years of continuous data, it was shown that several of Yellowstone's geysers display seasonal cycles of eruption intervals resulting from variations in the hydrological cycle and/or weather (Marler 1954;Hurwitz et al 2008Hurwitz et al , 2012.…”

“…The abundances of CO 2 and CH 4 are higher than their solubility in liquid water, suggesting a different source of some of the gas, possibly the decomposition of clathrates (Kieffer et al 2006). Like Earth's geysers (Karlstrom et al 2013, Munoz-Saez et al 2015b, the eruption velocity at the vent appears to be choked to the speed of sound (Nimmo et al 2014). A space mission designed specifically to sample and characterize the plumes would reduce uncertainty in the measurements and could allow the various hypotheses about the sources of mass and energy to be distinguished.…”

“…(a) The map for Geysir, in Iceland, was digitized from Torfason (1985), with geyser locations from Google Earth. (b) The map for El Tatio, in Chile, is based on Marinovic & Lahsen (1984), with geyser locations from Glennon & Pfaff (2004) and names from Munoz-Saez et al (2015b). (c) The map for Geyser Flat, Whakarewarewa, in New Zealand, is based on Lloyd (1975), with active geysers in 1990 from Cody & Lumb (1992 …”

Eruption Interval Monitoring at Strokkur Geyser, Iceland

“…Geyser eruption dynamics can be influenced by changing pressure‐temperature conditions. At El Tatio a major eruption occurred if bubble addition was sustained (Munoz‐Saez, Namiki, & Manga, ) and the water in the upper conduit was heated enough (Namiki et al, ). Multiple minor eruptions therefore preceded a major eruption (Munoz‐Saez, Namiki, & Manga, ).…”