16.5k views
0 votes
Atmospheric pressure decreases with increasing elevation, or distance above sea level. The elevation of Old Faithful is 2,240 meters. The El Tatio geyser field in the Andes Mountains of Chile is located 4,320 m above sea level. Would the geysers there erupt at a higher or lower temperature than Old Faithful?

User Enkryptor
by
4.7k points

1 Answer

5 votes

hey there!:

As El Tation is located at higher altitude than Old Faithful, the atmospheric pressure would be less at Ei Tatio.

Due to low pressure, the boiling point of water will be reduced at El Tatio. Hence, at lower temperature than Old Faithful, geysers will erupt at El Tatio due to depression of boiling point at reduced atmospheric pressure.

Hope this helps!

User Mishkin
by
5.9k points