El Tatio, Geothermal field in Antofagasta Province, Chile
El Tatio contains over 80 active geysers releasing steam columns and hot water across a 30-square-kilometer area at 4,320 meters above sea level.
Scientific exploration of El Tatio began in the 1920s, followed by systematic geothermal energy studies from 1967 to 1982 to understand its volcanic properties.
Local indigenous communities manage tourism activities at El Tatio while maintaining their traditional connections to this geothermal landscape in the Andes Mountains.
Tours to El Tatio start before sunrise when temperatures drop below freezing, requiring visitors to wear thermal clothing and bring protection against altitude effects.
The geysers produce water fountains reaching 75 centimeters in height, creating mineral-rich deposits that form distinctive sinter mounds and terraces.
Location: Antofagasta Province
Elevation above the sea: 4,320 m
Address: B-245, Antofagasta, Calama, Antofagasta, Chile
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 06:00-16:30
Phone: +56952154756
GPS coordinates: -22.33139,-68.01028
Latest update: May 26, 2025 21:43
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.
Chile stretches over 2,670 miles (4,300 kilometers) from north to south, crossing some of South America's most varied landscapes. The north features the Atacama Desert with its salt flats, geysers at El Tatio, and astronomical observatories such as Paranal. The coastal city of Valparaíso displays colonial architecture on steep hillsides, while the abandoned nitrate mining towns of Humberstone and Sewell recall the country's industrial past. The Andean region includes active volcanoes like Villarrica and Osorno, and Lauca National Park with Lake Chungará at over 14,760 feet (4,500 meters) elevation. The Lake District and Patagonia offer extensive forests, glaciers, and fjords. Torres del Paine National Park attracts hikers with its granite peaks and Grey Glacier. Lake General Carrera on the Argentine border shows turquoise waters, while Queulat and Bernardo O'Higgins national parks preserve remote wilderness. Chiloé Island is known for its wooden churches and traditional architecture. Further south, Puerto Williams on Navarino Island marks one of the world's southernmost settlements. Easter Island sits 2,300 miles (3,700 kilometers) west of the coast in the Pacific, displaying over 900 moai statues from its Polynesian past. The Juan Fernández Archipelago, also in the Pacific, offers endemic flora and fauna. In central Chile, ski resorts like Valle Nevado provide winter sports in the Andes, while the Elqui Valley is recognized for pisco production and clear night skies. Santiago, the capital, sits in an Andean valley and serves as a starting point for trips to surrounding national parks such as La Campana.
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