Geysers represent some of the most visible expressions of hydrothermal activity, occurring where underground water reservoirs are heated by magmatic sources. Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming holds more than half of the world's known geysers, including Old Faithful with its reliable eruptions every 90 minutes and Steamboat, the tallest active geyser on Earth. Iceland offers the Haukadalur Valley, home to the namesake Geysir and Strokkur, which erupts every few minutes. The high plateau of El Tatio in Chile sits at 14,100 feet (4,300 meters) and forms the highest elevation geyser field in the world. Other notable locations include the Whakarewarewa thermal area in Rotorua on New Zealand's North Island, where the Pohutu geyser performs regularly, and the Valley of Geysers in Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. These sites demonstrate the ongoing volcanic activity beneath the Earth's surface and attract visitors interested in observing natural thermal phenomena. Eruption patterns vary in frequency and intensity, with some geysers following predictable schedules while others remain irregular.
Yellowstone National Park, United States
Old FaithfulThis geyser is one of the most recognized thermal springs in the collection of notable geysers of Earth, demonstrating the geological forces of Yellowstone National Park through its reliable eruptions. Old Faithful releases water and steam at roughly 90-minute intervals, reaching heights of up to 180 feet (55 meters) into the air. The regularity of these eruptions makes it among the most dependable geysers on the planet and displays the underground volcanic activity of the region in a tangible way.
Haukadalur Valley, Iceland
StrokkurThis geyser in Haukadalur Valley demonstrates Iceland's geothermal activity through regular eruptions every five to ten minutes. The water column reaches heights up to 100 feet (30 meters). The phenomenon occurs when superheated groundwater under pressure forces its way through a narrow conduit to the surface. Strokkur ranks among the most active geysers worldwide and offers visitors reliable opportunities to observe the power of Earth's underground forces. The surrounding geothermal zone contains additional hot springs and mudpots that document the region's volcanic system.
Haukadalur Valley, Iceland
GeysirThis geyser in Haukadalur Valley gave the geological phenomenon its name and was first documented in the 13th century. As the first scientifically described geyser in the world, it previously reached heights of 200 feet (60 meters) and demonstrates Iceland's volcanic activity. The thermal spring is part of an area with regular water eruptions that display the planet's underground forces. Today the geyser's activity has decreased, while neighboring springs continue to erupt and show visitors the geothermal processes of the region.
Antofagasta Region, Chile
El TatioThis geyser field sits at 14,173 feet (4,320 meters) elevation in the Atacama region and includes over 80 active geysers. El Tatio shows its strongest activity during early morning hours, when cold air meets rising hot water and creates steam columns reaching several meters high. The site ranks among Earth's highest elevation geyser fields and demonstrates volcanic processes in a highland environment, where thermal activity is amplified by extreme altitude and thin atmosphere.
Rotorua, New Zealand
PohutuThis geyser reaches heights of 100 feet (30 meters) and erupts around 20 times per day, with eruptions lasting up to one hour. Pohutu is New Zealand's largest active geyser and demonstrates the volcanic activity of the Taupo Volcanic Zone. The fountains shoot from a sinter terrace and generate steam columns visible across the geothermal area. The eruption pattern often follows the neighboring Te Tohu geyser, which serves as an indicator of impending activity. The regular eruptions make Pohutu one of the most reliable geysers worldwide.
Yellowstone National Park, United States
SteamboatThis geyser ranks among the most powerful hydrothermal features in Yellowstone National Park, reaching heights of 300 feet (91 meters). Eruptions last between 3 and 40 minutes, with intervals between major events ranging from a few days to several years. Steamboat draws its energy from underground geothermal chambers in the Norris Geyser Basin and differs from the park's more regular geysers through its unpredictable behavior. Each eruption produces massive steam clouds and demonstrates the volcanic processes beneath the surface.
Wyoming, United States
CastleCastle Geyser sits in the Upper Geyser Basin and ranks among the oldest geysers in Yellowstone National Park. The cone of mineral deposits rises 65 feet (20 meters) high and documents thousands of years of thermal activity. Eruptions occur every 10 to 12 hours and shoot water up to 90 feet (27 meters) into the air, followed by a steam phase lasting up to 30 minutes. Castle provides a reliable example of the region's geological forces through its conical form and regular eruptions, representing the geyser systems fed by tectonic and volcanic processes.
Yellowstone National Park, United States
Great FountainThis geyser in Yellowstone National Park ranks among the park's largest periodic fountains, sending water up to 150 feet (45 meters) skyward through multiple consecutive phases. The Great Fountain belongs to the Lower Geyser Basin region and features a relatively predictable eruption cycle of nine to fifteen hours, which allows visitors to plan their viewing. The thermal activity of this geyser illustrates the volcanic processes beneath the Yellowstone Plateau and represents one of the most notable examples of regular geothermal discharge in North America.
Wyoming, United States
Beehive GeyserThis geyser in Yellowstone National Park expels water up to 200 feet (60 meters) high through a narrow opening while producing a distinctive sound that resembles buzzing bees. The eruptions last approximately four to five minutes and display the park's volcanic activity through forceful water jets. The system ranks among the taller geysers in the Upper Geyser Basin and demonstrates the geological forces beneath the surface through regular thermal discharges.
Wyoming, United States
Grand GeyserGrand Geyser reaches heights of approximately 200 feet (60 meters) and ranks among the tallest predictable geysers in Yellowstone National Park. Its eruptions follow a relatively regular cycle averaging 7 hours, with bursts lasting between 9 and 12 minutes. The thermal water is expelled from an underground reservoir heated by volcanic activity. The geyser is located in the Upper Geyser Basin, where numerous other hydrothermal features can be observed.
Wyoming, United States
Riverside GeyserThis geyser represents one of the notable examples of geothermal activity in the Yellowstone region. Riverside Geyser launches its water in a 75-foot (23-meter) arc across the river, demonstrating the underground forces that shape this area. Eruptions occur at relatively predictable intervals of approximately six hours, with the expelled water and rising steam columns illustrating the continuous volcanic activity beneath the surface. The position directly along the riverbank gives this geyser its characteristic appearance as the water fountain shoots at an angle over the flowing water.
Wyoming, United States
White Dome GeyserThis geyser features a 20-foot (6-meter) mineral cone formed through thousands of years of continuous deposits. White Dome Geyser expels water in short, frequent eruptions that demonstrate the underground geothermal forces at work in the Yellowstone region. The regular bursts showcase the characteristic behavior of smaller geysers in this geologically active area, making it a noteworthy example of the volcanic processes that continue to shape this landscape. The cone structure itself represents one of the more developed formations among Yellowstone's numerous thermal features.
Yellowstone National Park, United States
Giant GeyserThis geyser demonstrates the geothermal activity of Yellowstone National Park through its water fountains that reach heights of approximately 200 feet (60 meters). Giant Geyser ranks among the larger geysers in the park and propels hot water with considerable force from underground chambers. The eruptions occur at irregular intervals and generate steam columns that make visible the volcanic processes beneath the surface. The system connects with neighboring thermal springs and displays the geological forces that shape this region.
Yellowstone National Park, United States
Daisy GeyserThis geyser erupts every 4 to 6 hours, reaching heights of around 75 feet (23 meters) during each eruption. The regular intervals make Daisy Geyser one of the more reliable geysers in Yellowstone National Park. Hot water jets from a small crater, creating visible steam columns with each cycle. The underground geological conditions allow these repeated eruptions, providing insight into the volcanic activity beneath the region.
Yellowstone National Park, United States
Lion GeyserThis geyser ranks among the acoustically distinctive thermal features of Yellowstone National Park, producing deep rumbling sounds that resemble a lion's roar before each eruption. The water columns reach heights of 50 feet (15 meters) and demonstrate the volcanic activity of the region. Lion Geyser sits in a basin area with several interconnected geysers and signals the underground pressure conditions through its characteristic preliminary sounds before the actual eruption begins. The geological processes driving these thermal discharges make this geyser a representative example of Yellowstone's dynamic system.
Yellowstone National Park, United States
Morning Glory PoolThis hot spring in Yellowstone National Park measures 23 feet (7 meters) in diameter and maintains a temperature of 158 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius). Morning Glory Pool belongs to the geothermal water sources fed by underground heat, displaying its characteristic colors through thermophilic bacteria. The pool sits in the Upper Geyser Basin near Old Faithful and demonstrates the volcanic activity beneath the park surface. Visitor trails lead directly to the rim, where you can observe the clear water and colored mineral deposits along the basin edge. The temperature and water composition shift according to geothermal activity in the underground system.
Yellowstone National Park, United States
Norris Geyser BasinNorris Geyser Basin is the oldest and hottest geyser field in Yellowstone National Park, with more than 50 active geysers spread across 3.5 square miles (9 square kilometers). Water temperatures in this basin reach 199°F (92°C), making it the most geologically active thermal area in the park. The geysers here erupt at irregular intervals and create a landscape of steaming vents, colored mineral deposits and bubbling mud pots that provide direct evidence of the volcanic activity beneath the surface.
Kamchatka, Russia
Geyser ValleyGeyser Valley stretches across six kilometers in the Kronotsky Nature Reserve and contains ninety geysers and hot springs. This collection of volcanic features makes Geyser Valley one of the most significant geothermal areas on the Kamchatka Peninsula. The geysers erupt fountains of water and steam at regular intervals, with each geyser maintaining its own eruption cycle. The valley sits in a remote region accessible only by helicopter, which has kept the geological formations largely undisturbed.
Wai-O-Tapu, New Zealand
Lady Knox GeyserLady Knox Geyser sits within the Wai-O-Tapu geothermal area on New Zealand's North Island and provides daily eruptions triggered by human intervention. Each morning at 10:15, park rangers add organic soap into the geyser's vent, which reduces the surface tension of the water and induces an eruption that can reach heights up to 65 feet (20 meters) and last for up to an hour. This geyser was discovered in 1901 when prisoners operating a nearby penal camp disposed of their soap scraps into the thermal vent and inadvertently triggered the eruptive behavior. The controlled demonstration makes this geyser one of the few worldwide where visitors can witness an eruption at a predictable time, while the surrounding Wai-O-Tapu area features additional geothermal characteristics including colored hot springs and mud volcanoes.
Waiotapu, New Zealand
Champagne PoolChampagne Pool is a geothermal feature within Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, about 17 miles (27 kilometers) south of Rotorua. The pool formed roughly 900 years ago from a hydrothermal eruption and reaches a depth of 203 feet (62 meters) with a diameter of approximately 213 feet (65 meters). Water temperature remains at 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius), and rising carbon dioxide bubbles create the namesake champagne effect at the surface. Orange deposits of arsenic and antimony line the pool's edge, forming a distinct contrast with the turquoise water. Champagne Pool ranks among New Zealand's largest hot springs and demonstrates the ongoing volcanic activity in the Taupo Volcanic Zone.
Wallenborn, Germany
Wallender BornThe Wallender Born near Wallenborn in the Volcanic Eifel is a cold water geyser driven by rising carbon dioxide from volcanic sources. Unlike hot geysers powered by magma heat, the eruption here results from gas accumulation in groundwater. The fountain reaches a height of 10 to 13 feet (3 to 4 meters) approximately every 35 minutes, making it one of the regular cold water geysers in Central Europe. The water maintains a constant temperature of about 48 degrees Fahrenheit (9 degrees Celsius) year round. Eruptions last several minutes and demonstrate the ongoing volcanic activity beneath the Eifel region.
Washoe County, United States
Fly GeyserThe Fly Geyser sits on private desert land in the Black Rock Desert of Washoe County, Nevada, and originated accidentally in 1964 when a geothermal test well was not properly sealed. Mineral-laden water reaches the surface and deposits calcium carbonate, creating three multicolored mounds that rise up to 5 feet (1.5 meters). The vivid greens, reds, and oranges come from thermophilic algae that thrive in the hot, mineral-rich water. The geyser continuously spouts water from multiple openings, forming terraced pools across the surrounding terrain. The site is owned by the Burning Man Project organization, which occasionally offers guided tours.
Yellowstone National Park, United States
Porcelain BasinPorcelain Basin sits within the Norris Geyser Basin of Yellowstone and forms an extensive thermal field with several active geysers and hot springs. The milky white sinter deposits that give the area its name cover large sections and provide the landscape with its characteristic appearance. Notable geysers include Echinus, Ledge and Whirligig, which erupt at irregular intervals. The area records frequent changes in geothermal activity, with some vents altering their eruption patterns over periods of weeks or months. A designated boardwalk system allows visitors to observe the thermal features from a safe distance while documenting the ongoing volcanic activity beneath Yellowstone.
Puebla, Mexico
CuexcomateThe Cuexcomate is an extinct geyser in Puebla whose hydrothermal activity ceased centuries ago, leaving a circular crater approximately 23 feet (7 meters) in diameter. The formation represents the area's former volcanic activity and has often been misidentified as the world's smallest volcano, though it is actually a hydrothermal structure. The crater extends roughly 56 feet (17 meters) deep and can be accessed via a spiral staircase that descends to the bottom. This geological feature sits within a residential neighborhood of the city and demonstrates how hydrothermal systems can persist as permanent landscape features after their active phase ends.
Utah, United States
Crystal GeyserCrystal Geyser formed in 1935 from an abandoned oil exploration well near Green River and represents one of the few cold water geysers in North America. Unlike thermal geysers, this eruption is driven by underground carbon dioxide pressure that accumulates in the groundwater and releases periodically. The eruptions reach heights between 30 and 150 feet (9 to 46 meters) and leave distinctive travertine deposits around the opening. Eruption intervals vary between eight and twelve hours, depending on groundwater conditions. Access is via unpaved roads east of Green River.
Herľany, Slovakia
Herľany GeyserThis geyser in Herľany first erupted in 1870 after mining operations disrupted the natural water flow in the region. The system releases water and gas at irregular intervals, with eruptions driven by carbon dioxide pressure from underground sources. The fountain reaches heights of approximately 20 meters (65 feet), and activity depends on hydrogeological conditions that shift over time. The site is located in the eastern part of Slovakia near the Hungarian border and is equipped with basic visitor infrastructure. Eruptions do not follow a fixed schedule, and observations require patience or advance checking of current activity.
New Zealand
Waimangu GeyserThe Waimangu Geyser was a geothermal system in the Bay of Plenty Region that operated between 1900 and 1904 following the eruption of Mount Tarawera. With eruptions that sent water up to 1,500 feet (460 meters) high, this geyser holds the record as the tallest documented geyser in history. The eruptions occurred at irregular intervals and lasted several hours before activity ceased in November 1904. The Waimangu Geothermal Valley remains today as a hydrothermally active area, displaying various hot springs, mud pools and steam vents that demonstrate the ongoing volcanic system beneath the surface.
Wyoming, United States
Excelsior GeyserThe Excelsior Geyser Crater sits in Midway Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park and now functions as a hot spring after producing violent eruptions during the 1880s. This geothermal feature discharges approximately 4,200 gallons (15,900 liters) of water per minute into the Firehole River at temperatures around 199 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius). The crater measures roughly 200 by 300 feet (61 by 91 meters) across and ranks among the park's largest hot springs, with its turquoise color resulting from minerals dissolved in the water.