Testing Variables that May Affect Geysers

Overview

Objectives/Goals To find out what variables might affect the eruption cycles of geysers. Methods/Materials In this project, different variables were tested in a simulation geyser, to see how they affect the geyser#s eruption process. The geyser was made from a 1 liter flask and a funnel, connected by clear, plastic tubing. When the structure was filled with water, and heated to a high temperature by a hot plate, an eruption cycle began, similar to a real geyser#s. The variables were; - length and diameter of the tubing, which simulates the underground passageways of a geyser - the presence of salt, which is plentiful in geysers - the presence of chicken parts, which simulates when a wild animal falls into a geyser Results In summery: The larger the volume of the structure, the longer it took to heat the water to the point of eruption and the larger the eruption. The various added substances also had different affects on the behavior of the geyser. Conclusions/Discussion The larger the volume of the structure, (i.e. the longer and wider the tubing,) the longer it took to heat up the water, and the eruption intervals were made longer. The chicken parts had a significant affect on the behavior of the eruptions, and the salt also created some changes. All of the tested variables had some type of affect on the geyser#s eruption cycle, which suggests that geysers are very sensitive natural features.

Competition history

• CSEF 2002 Earth Sciences/ Planetary Sciences/ Physical Environments · Entry J0618

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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