what is a geyser and how is it formed?

A geyser is a hot spring characterized by intermittent discharge of water ejected turbulently and accompanied by a vapour phase (steam).The formation of geysers is due to particular hydrogeological conditions, which exist in only a few places on Earth, and so they are a fairly rare phenomenon. Generally all geyser field sites are located near active volcanic areas, and the geyser effect is due to the proximity of magma. Generally, surface water works its way down to an average depth of around 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) where it meets up with hot rocks. The resultant boiling of the pressurized water results in the geyser effect of hot water and steam spraying out of the geyser's surface vent.

Geysers are temporary geological features. The life span of a geyser is, at the most, only a few thousand years. Geysers are generally associated with volcanic areas.As the water boils, the resultant pressure forces a superheated column of steam and water to the surface through the geyser's internal plumbing. The formation of geysers specifically requires the combination of three geologic conditions that are usually found in volcanic terrain.

Cheryl:)