Intermittent Spring (Wyoming) facts for kids
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The Intermittent Spring, also known as the Periodic Spring, is a super cool natural wonder! You can find it in the Swift Creek canyon, near Afton, Wyoming. It's special because it's the biggest "rhythmic spring" in the whole world. This means its water flow stops and starts all by itself!
Discovery of the Spring
A long time ago, the great-great-grandfather of Olympic gold medalist Rulon Gardner found this amazing spring. Rulon Gardner shared the story: "He was up there logging. He went up and found a nice little place to get some fresh water. It was intermittent. It went, and stopped. So it was pretty amazing." Imagine finding a spring that turns itself on and off!
How the Spring Works
Scientists have a great idea about how the Intermittent Spring works. It's called the siphon theory.
The Siphon Theory Explained
- First, groundwater constantly flows into a hidden underground cave.
- This cave has a narrow tube leading out.
- As the water fills the tube, it eventually spills over the highest point.
- This creates a "siphon effect." It's like when you use a hose to empty a pool – once the water starts flowing over the edge, it keeps pulling more water out.
- The siphon sucks all the water out of the cave.
- Finally, air rushes into the tube, which breaks the siphon. This stops the water flow.
- Then, the cave starts filling with water again, and the whole process repeats!
Professor Kip Solomon, a hydrologist (a scientist who studies water) from the University of Utah, has studied this spring. He said, "We can't think of another explanation at the moment."
Scientific Proof
The University of Utah finished their studies on the spring. Professor Solomon concluded that the water's gas content was tested. The results strongly suggest the water was exposed to air underground. This gives strong support for the siphon theory.
