There are two different ways that geothermal hot springs are heated. The most common way is non-volcanic, where the water is heated by geothermal gradient by passing through rocks that are very hot inside the Earth’s interior. The other way in which hot springs are heated is volcanic zones. Yellowstone National Park is an example of this. The water is heated by magma inside the earth’s crust. It is very common to have hot springs with temperatures near boiling point. When in a volcanic zone water is often superheated, creating pressure and steam, resulting in a geyser. The average temperatures of hot springs used for swimming are 98 degrees F (36.7 C). Flow rates of hot springs range from little seeps to rivers of hot water.
People have discovered therapeutic uses for the natural hot springs. Heated water is able to hold more dissolved solids. Warm and hot springs often have high mineral content, containing Calcium to Lithium and even Radium. With the warm water and its mineral content hot springs are a great way to relax your body.
Swimming in these hot springs can also be dangerous with several illnesses that are common. Hot springs create ideal conditions for infections to spread on the body. The common types of infections are Naegleria Fowleri, an amoeba that lives in warm waters, can also be the leading cause to Meningitis. Deaths have been attributed to this amoeba that enters the brain through nasal passages. The other two less common infections are Acanthamoeba, and Legion Ella Bacteria.
Rotorua is one of the world’s most spectacular Geothermal Wonderland’s, with five main Geothermal Parks. Whakarewarewa, has the largest geyser in the country, and is one of the most visited. Tikitere (Hell’s Gate), is Rotorua’s most fierce geothermal park. It contains whirlpools of boiling water, and the largest hot waterfall in the Southern Hemisphere. Waimongu is a tribute to the devastating eruption of Mount Taraweraover 100 years ago (1886). The park contains multi-colored lakes and stunning landscape. Waiotapu includes some of the most colorful volcanic features (NRA went here). Orakei Korako, the Hidden Valley, is accessible by boat; this park is lauded by Lonely Planet as “Possibly the best thermal area left in New Zealand and one of the World’s Finest.”
Meningitis is a medical condition caused by inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. The common symptoms are headache, and neck stiffness, along with fever, confusion or altered consciousness, inability to tolerate bright light, or loud noises. The way in which Meningitis is diagnosed is by lumbar puncture, which involves inserting a needle into the spinal cord to extract a sample of cerebrospinal fluid that envelops the brain and spinal cord. This must be treated promptly with antibiotics and several antiviral drugs. Without prompt treatment it can lead to deafness, epilepsy, and hydrocephalus. Ways to prevent getting Meningitis in hot springs are by keeping everything from your neck up completely dry. After getting out of the water, when drying keep your towel away from your face. Do not put your hands into your mouth, and wash your hands as soon as possible. Those are the simple ways to prevent a very harmful infection.
Note- Ross submitted some great photos and examples of NZ hotsprings. Unfortunately, they were unreadable from our base. Thank you Ross and readers for being patient as we sort out the bugs.
