Travertine Hot Springs are a group of geothermal mineral springs located near the town of Bridgeport, California, United States.
| Travertine Hot Springs | |
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| Location | near Bridgeport, Mono County, California[1] |
| Coordinates | 38°14′44″N 119°12′19″W / 38.245483°N 119.205383°W |
| Elevation | 6,700 feet |
| Type | geothermal spring |
| Temperature | 180°F |
Geography
editTravertine Hot Springs are located two miles Southeast of Bridgeport, California on several sizeable travertine terraces, overlooking views of the High Sierra mountains.[2] Volunteers have built a series of primitive rock pools and wood-and-concrete enclosures to contain the water, and to control temperature by diverting the flow through stepped channels.[2] The springs are located on California State Park land.[3]
Geology
editAccording to David Risley, a geologist with the U.S. Forest Service, the hot springs gets its name from the build-up of calcium carbonate (a form of limestone) that forms the mineral terraces. In the mid-1890s, 60 tons of travertine was mined from the site to build the interior facings of San Francisco City Hall, and other buildings.[1]
History
editFor hundreds of years the hot mineral springs were used by local indigenous people and later, early settlers. According to archaeological records, Paleo-Indians used thermal springs in the American west for 10,000 years, based on evidence of human use and settlements. Hot springs provided warmth, healing mineral water, and cleansing.[4] Later, the Paiute people used the hot springs.[1]
In the early 1900s, the first wood-lined pool for dipping sheep was built; some of the wooden planks currently at the site are the original boards.[2]
Water profile
editThe hot mineral water emerges from several geothermal fissures in the ground at 180°F (82°C) and are cooled to 115°–156°F as they progress through the travertine terraces.[5] Due to underground movement caused local and regional earthquakes, the temperature fluctuates.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Bartell, John (16 April 2019). "The sad story behind the Travertine Hot Springs Instagram hotspot". ABC-10. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
- ^ a b c d Gersh-Young, Marjorie (2010). Hot Springs and Hot Pools of the Southwest. Santa Cruz, California: Aqua Therma Press. p. 164. ISBN 978-1890880095.
- ^ "California's Eastern Sierra: Hot Springs". Monocounty.org. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
- ^ "A History of Geothermal Energy in America". U.S. Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
- ^ Berry, George W.; Grim, Paul J.; Ikelman, Joy A. (1980). Thermal Springs List for the United States. Boulder, Coloratdo: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. p. 12.