Question

which of the following statements best describes how geysers erupt? group of answer choices water suddenly cools in disconnected voids and cracks above the water table, causing the aquifer to explosively fragment. water slowly percolates downward in a network of vertical cracks above the water table; the buildup of water in the underlying aquifer pushes the rest of the water to the surface. rising magma in the lower crust pushes overlying water upward through vertical fractures, causing the water to spill out on the surface. with a slight reduction in pressure, hot groundwater in a saturated, natural conduit suddenly boils, sending a plume of steam and hot water into the air above the vent.

Answer 1

Geysers erupt due to the rapid boiling of superheated groundwater when a reduction in pressure allows it to flash boil, forcefully ejecting steam and water. This is facilitated by heat from underlying magma and natural conduits under pressure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that best describes how geysers erupt is: With a slight reduction in pressure, hot groundwater in a saturated, natural conduit suddenly boils, sending a plume of steam and hot water into the air above the vent. The underlying cause is the heat from magma warming the water deep within underground channels. This water is under high pressure, and as it rises, it becomes superheated. Near the surface, a reduction in pressure allows the water to reach boiling point and be expelled, leading to a rapid drop in pressure which causes the superheated water to flash boil and forcefully eject steam and water.

The process involves geothermal heat from the Earth's interior that heats the water. The conditions necessary for geyser formation include a heat source, typically underlying magma, and a natural conduit system that allows water to become trapped and pressurized under a caprock. When conditions are right, an eruption occurs, demonstrating the remarkable principles of thermodynamics and geology.