The mountain setting is spectacular, and a sheer rock wall rises above two pools; one heated, the other much cooler. Unlike some hot springs, these waters are free of odorous sulphur. The water temperature varies with the season; in spring, the snowmelt cools the thermally heated springs. This is the site of Canada’s largest Hot Spring pool. The Radium Hot Springs story is as old as the Rocky Mountains themselves. It began with the unleashing of powerful forces that left its tale in heaving, tortured rocks. The earth's crust cracked along a fault, more than two kilometres deep. The shatter zone around the fault lets groundwater seep deep into the Earth, pressurizing and returning it to the surface with more than 700 milligrams of minerals per litre at a rate of 1,800 litres (396 gallons) per minute. The hot springs water, 44°C (114°F) at the source, is filtered and chlorinated, and enters the pool at a comfortable temperature of 39°C (103°F). The cool pool temperature is 29°C (84°F).
Springs are defined as places where groundwater is discharged at a specific location. They vary dramatically as to the amount of water they discharge. Some of the water may have traveled great distances underground before resurfacing as a spring. Hot springs though are springs that have a water temperature that is above average. This could be anywhere from near air temperature up to the boiling point (100 degrees Celsius). Typically a hot spring is formed when water percolates into porous sedimentary rocks or fractured volcanic rocks. As it descends through the rock, it picks up a variety of minerals by dissolving them in the heated water. This includes things such as salts and sulphides. When the descending water finds an easy path back to the surface it will follow this path and become a hot spring. If it reaches the surface quickly it will still be very hot. If it takes a long time the water will have cooled before reaching the surface. Many hot springs have a sulphur smell which is caused by anaerobic bacteria living deep beneath the Earth’s crust. The bacteria convert the dissolved sulphur in the water into Hydrogen Sulfide which has that “rotten eggs” smell that you may be familiar. If the hot springs do not have a sulphur smell it may be due to either the water not reaching sufficient depths or the water on its return to the surface is oxidized and loses its Hydrogen Sulphide. The warm water also allows an abundance of algae and bacteria to live in it. You may also find other plant and animal life living near the hot springs that would not normally be found in the area.
Measured mineral content is as follows (parts per million):
Sulphates – 302
Calcium – 135
Bicarbonate – 101
Silica – 32
Magnesium – 32
Sodium – 18
Chloride – 0.17
Fluoride – 0.37
Nitrate – 0.6
Alumina -
Iron Oxide – 3.6
And of course it is high in radium which gave it its name.
As of November 18, 2006 to log this Earthcache:
You must post some unique bit of information regarding the site that you learn while there. Taking a water temperature measurement of the hot spring or pool is acceptable. Other possible information could be the size of the hotspring or the water flow rate. I'll leave it up to each cacher to decide what to post to show that they have learned something. I will monitor logs for appropriate information. Posting a photo is not required but appreciated. Unfortunately, any log that does not meet the requirements will be deleted. Thanks for visiting an Earthcache!