Akutan Hot Springs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Akutan Hot Springs |
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hot spring discharging into Hot Springs Creek
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| Location | Akutan Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska |
| Coordinates | 54°9′N 165°53′W / 54.150°N 165.883°W |
| Type | volcanic |
| Temperature | 77°C (171°F) |
Akutan Hot Springs are a group of warm water springs and even a geyser! They are found in a special area called the Akutan geothermal area. This area is on Akutan Island in Alaska. A geothermal area is a place where heat from deep inside the Earth warms up water.
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Where are the Akutan Hot Springs?
The Akutan geothermal area is located in the Aleutian Islands. These islands are a chain of small islands that stretch out from Alaska. The hot springs are spread out in many different spots.
Springs in Hot Springs Bay
Many of the hot springs release their warm water into the bay. They flow from local streams and even from water underground. The most active hot springs are found at the top of the valley. You can also find them along the shore of Hot Springs Bay. There are five main groups of these geothermal springs in the lower Hot Springs Bay Valley.
Akutan Volcano
Akutan Peak is a type of volcano called a stratovolcano. This means it's a tall, cone-shaped volcano built up by many layers of hardened lava and ash. At the very top of the volcano, there's a large bowl-shaped hollow called a caldera. The heat from this volcano is what warms up the water for the hot springs!
How Warm is the Water?
The water from these springs is very hot! It comes out at about 77°C (171°F). This super warm water then flows into Hot Springs Creek and other nearby streams.
Where the Water Comes From
The naturally heated water comes out in different ways. You can see it bubbling up from the beach sands. It also comes out from cracks in the rocks along the stream banks. Sometimes, it forms small pools in the dirt and gravel near the water. Other times, it flows directly into the creek.
