Fly Geyser Nevada

Though it may look other-worldly, Fly Geyser is all natural, and basically a small geothermal geyser located approximately 20 miles north of Gerlach, in Washoe County, Nevada. The geyser started spewing water in the 1960s when a geo-thermally heated pack of water found a weak spot in the wall and began escaping when accidentally hit by drillers. The dissolved minerals rose and accumulated creating the mound on which the geyser sits. Continue reading for more cool facts.

5. Located on a Privately Owned Ranch

Fly Geyser

Fly Geyser is located on the private Fly Ranch in Hualapai Flat, about 0.3 miles from State Route 34. The ranch is currently owned by Todd Jaksick. There is a high fence and a locked gate topped with spikes to exclude trespassers. The only access is a dirt road, but it is large enough to be seen from the road.

4. Continues to Grow

Fly Geyser

As mentioned previously, it was accidentally created by well drilling in 1964 exploring for sources of geothermal energy. The well may not have been capped correctly, or left unplugged, but either way dissolved minerals started rising and accumulating, creating the travertine mound on which the geyser sits and continues growing.

3. Water is Constantly Spewing

Fly Geyser

Water is constantly released, reaching 5 feet (1.5 m) in the air. The geyser contains several terraces discharging water into 30 to 40 pools over an area of 74 acres (30 ha).

2. Colors Due to Algae

Fly Geyser

The geyser is made up of a series of different minerals, but its brilliant colors are due to thermophilic algae.

1. Two Additional Geysers

Fly Geyser

Two additional geysers in the area were created in a similar way and continue to grow. The first geyser is approximately 3 feet and is shaped like a miniature volcano; the second is cone-shaped and is about 5 feet.

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