Fly Geyser, USA
The Fly Geyser in Nevada is an unintentional man-made wonder that has produced a fantastically shaped and whimsically colored desert wonder that is a must-see for both locals and tourists. The Burning Man Project acquired the 3,800-acre Fly Ranch in Northern Nevada, home to the Fly Geyser, in 2016. It is a breathtaking location on the edge of the Nevada Black Rock Desert, about two hours north of Reno.
When locals drilled a well in search of irrigation water in 1916, the first geyser on the location started to form. The first geyser was created when this well was quickly abandoned after it was determined that the water inside was too hot. A geothermal power company drilled a test well at the location in 1964, which led to the unintentional creation of the main geyser. Later newspaper reports claimed that the well had either been improperly plugged or left uncapped. In either case, the well hole erupted with scalding hot water, and calcium carbonate deposits started to form. These deposits grew by several inches every year.
After several decades, those deposits have grown into three large mounds that rise from a field of tall reeds and grasses. The sediments have grown to nearly 6 feet in height and are multicolored green and red. The geyser's trio of travertine cones continue to spew scalding hot water into the air about four or five feet up. Scientists who have studied the geyser have discovered that the coloring on the outside of the mounds is caused by thermophilic algae, which thrives in moist, hot environments.
According to research, the inside of the mounds contain quartz, and this quartz is growing much faster than any of the other geysers she has studied in her career. Typically, quartz does not begin to grow within geysers for about 10,000 years, making the Fly Geyser even more remarkable.
The Fly Ranch Geyser is situated in Northern Nevada, roughly 20 miles via State Route 34 north of Gerlach, Nevada (a well-liked stop along the Burner Byway). The Fly Geyser can be seen clearly from the side of the road, and its hot water plumes are visible for miles around.
Location: Washoe County, Nevada, USA
