Hot Springs Water EarthCache

The above coordinate will bring you to one of Hot Springs filling stations. At all times of the day you will see people filling jugs from this station. Although many muggles might be in the area at the time of your visit you should be able to collect the needed information to claim this earthcache. After reading the below information and collecting a few bits of information from the cache location email the answers to the cache owner at the below email address. 

Hot Springs National Park and the city of Hot Springs is fortunate to have natural thermal water that flows from 47 springs on the western slope of Hot Springs Mountain in the downtown district of the city.  About 1,000,000 gallons of 143 degree Fahrenheit (62 degree Celsius) flow from these springs each day.  The flow rate is not affected by fluctuations in the rainfall in the area.  Through studies scientists have learned through radiocarbon dating that the water that reaches the surface in Hot Springs fell as rainfall 4,400 years earlier.  The water percolates very slowly down through the earth's surface until it reaches superheated areas deep in the crust and then rushes rapidly to the surface to emerge from the 47 hot springs.

Geologists and hydrologists tell us that this is not a volcanic area, instead the surface water is heated by a different method as it slowly flows downward.  The outcropping of Arkansas Novaculite and Bigfork Chert absorb the ground water.  These outcrops form an arc running from the northeast arount to the east.  This water then makes its way into holes, cracks, fractures and joints.  As this water flows downward through these openings, it is increasingly heated by the surrounding warmer rock.  It is heated at a rate of 4 degrees Fahrenheit for every 300 feet.  While the water is flowing down and again back up the water dissolves minerals out of the surrounding rock.  Eventually the water meets more holes, cracks, fractures, and joints which in turn bring it back to the surface on the lower west slope of Hot Springs Mountain.  This rain water converges at a maximum depth of probable between 6000 to 8000 feet.  Heated by the natural heat gradient within the earth, the trip up is so rapid, that there is very little cooling of the water.  Of the 4000 years it takes the rainwater to make its round trip, perhaps only a year or so at the very most is needed to get back up to the surface.

This Hot Springs Thermal Water contains the following minerals in parts per million:
Silica (SiO2)                         53
Bicarbonate (HCO3)           130
Calcium (Ca)                         47
Sulfate (SO4)                          8
Magnesium (Mg)                     5
Sodium (Na)                            4
Chloride (Cl)                            2
Fluoride (F)                           0.3
Potassium (K)                          1
Oxygen (O2)                            4
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)           10



Radioactivity through radon gas emanation is 43 picocuries per liter.

This water is state-certified to be safe to drink.  The water is colorless, odorless, and tasteless - there is little iron and sulphur.  These springs are protected by the federal government & meets rigorous federal and state drinking water standards.  The water is safe to drink when it arrives at the surface of Hot Springs Mountain.


To log this earthcache, after visiting this area email the answer to the cache owner at
rsmithfam411@gmail.com

1. The temperature of the water coming out of the ground is 143°F. The temperature at this filling station has been changed for your convenience. On a sign near the filling station the temperature is posted. What is that temperature?


2. How many filling spigots are located on the fountain at this filling station?

3. Are there any elements or minerals in the water? Yes or No