Science is Fun Fridays!

 


South of town is a historic resort, with natural hot springs that were nationally acclaimed by President Ulysses S. Grant when he visited in 1879.

Steamboat Hot Springs.

The area is a small volcanic field of rhyolitic lava domes including steam vents and fumaroles.

The name is attributed to Mark Twain, who is quoted as saying, "Behold! A Steamboat in the desert!"

The waters are a combination of sulfate minerals not found anywhere else in the US.

"Geologically, the springs are among the most interesting in the world, for they demonstrate in a striking way how mineral veins and deposits are formed," noted state engineer, Alfred Merritt Smith, in 1935.

We stopped in for a quick soak this week, and it felt amazing.  The added aromatherapy certainly helped - a signature blend of lavender, orange, and cedarwood.  So relaxing, calming, and nourishing.

The Water


There's a nearby geothermal plant as well, producing over 24 Megawatts of electricity, enough to supply 24,000 homes.


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