Several hot springs can be found in Olympic National Park,
occurring on or near the Calawah fault zone. This presently
inactive fault zone extends from the southeastern Olympics to the
northwest and probably into the Pacific Ocean.
The water issuing from a hot spring is heated by geothermal heat
from the Earth's mantle. In general, the temperature of rocks
within the earth increases with depth. The rate of temperature
increase with depth is known as the geothermal gradient. If water
percolates deeply enough into the crust, it will be heated as it
comes into contact with hot rocks. The water from hot springs in
non-volcanic areas is heated in this manner.
A Warm Spring is defined as a spring with water temperature less
than a hot spring but the term is not used much. Warm springs are
sometimes the result of hot and cold springs mixing but may also
occur outside of volcanic areas.
Because heated water can hold more dissolved solids, warm and
especially hot springs also often have a very high mineral content,
containing everything from simple calcium to lithium, and even
radium. Because of both the folklore and the claimed medical value
some of these springs have, they are often popular tourist
destinations, and locations for rehabilitation clinics for those
with disabilities
Indian legend speaks of the origin of the Sol Duc and Olympic
Hot Springs: Two "dragon-like creatures" (lightning fish) with a
mutual hatred for one another engaged in a mighty and desperate
battle. There was no victor as both were evenly matched. Admitting
defeat each of the creatures crawled into their separate caves
where they weep with tears of mortification
I understand ppl can cheat on this earthcache and if you do, all is
well. If you find you dont want to pay the pool entry fee, there
are Olympic Hot Spring that are completely natural and undisturbed
close by. It is NOT maintained by the Park! And it is NOT
reccommended to bathe in them due to the high content of bacteria
and nudity! =P
To log this cache e-mail the answers to the following
questions.
1. What is the name of the fault that most likely causes the hot
springs? 2. While in the pool(hotsprings) what do you feel and
smell that is different then other water or pools? 3. Explain these
differences 4. How deep is the kiddie pool? 5. What is the lowest
and heighest depth of large pool?