This earthcache is in remote location. Ensure that you have a capable vehicle with adequate supplies. A second spare is recommended. To log this earthcache you need to measure temperature. You will need a thermometer or similar to measure water temperatures.
Hot mineral springs produce water with the heat produced by geothermal heat from under the ground. The waters of Paralana Hot Springs issue from major earth crustal fractures in this vicinity that date back one billion years. These waters are heated by hot rock at shallow depths and by radioactive mineral decay. Carbon dioxide, nitrogen, radon gas and helium bubble forth continuously. Because the Paralana Hot Springs contain small amounts of naturally occurring radioactive elements, swimming or drinking the water is not recommended.
Paralana is said to be one of only three springs in the world where the water is heated only by the breakdown of radioactive materials. The three naturally radioactive hot spots in the world are the following:
1. Gaurapari, Brazil.
2. Ramsar, a northern coastal city in Iran.
3. Paralana, Arkaroola in Australia
Hot Springs located in Paralana Creek, are the only remaining hot springs along the long-lived Paralana fault hydrothermal system. Waters are sourced from a fractured rock aquifer in Proterozoic Mount Painter Domain rocks containing high concentrations of radiogenic heat-generating elements. Owing to the fact that the bubbles released from the spring contain radioactive radon gas, the site was used for a health spa in 1926-1928. This was during the time when radioactivity was considered healthy.
The Mesoproterozoic Mt. Painter Inlier is located in a zone of anomalously high heat flow attributed to high concentrations of radioactive elements in the Inlier. Paleozoic hydrothermal activity produced large volumes of uraniferous breccias and siliceous sinter, and secondary uranium deposits are mined in Tertiary sandstones east of the Inlier.
According to geothermometric calculations, the water/rock interaction temperature is 95±5°C. High geothermal gradients, attributed to high concentrations of radiogenic elements, at circulation depths between 1.4 and 2.4 km are required to produce this temperature. The hot water in the springs result from meteoric water circulating through hot rocks, and are the surface expression of a cyclic, non-volcanic hydrothermal system.
Paralana Hot Springs represents a unique environment for the study of microbial activity. Thermophilic bacteria survive in the heated water. The 'extremophile' algae found in these radioactive springs are considered to be some of the hardiest organisms on Earth. The bacterial composition of the springs has merited a number of scientific studies. NASA studied the location to understand the sorts of water-based, adaptive behaviours they may find on other planets including Mars.
To log this earthcache you need to complete some tasks. You will need a thermometer or similar to measure the water temperatures. You can use the finger method described below to estimate the water temperature. Send your answers to the cache owner for verification. You may log immediately if you like. The highest water in the creek was found at the listed coordinate during our visit. The size of pools has been observed to vary over time.
- Has the water flow moved upstream or down stream from the listed coordinate?
- What is the temperature of the water at the two waypoints and the listed coordinate?
- Why is there a variation in the measured water temperature?
- Take a photo of yourself (selfie) in the foreground, or some personal object as an alternative with the creek in the background.
Finger Method: Do not burn yourself. Test carefully.
-If the water feels cold and is it painful to dip a finger for 30 seconds then it is less than 10C.
-If the water feels cold but it is not unbearable to keep your finger in the water it is about 20C.
-If you cannot determine if the water is warm or cold it is about 35C.
-If the water feels warm but you can keep your hand in it, it is about 40C.
-If the water feels really warm and you can hold in the water for 30 seconds then it is about 50C.
-If the water is really warm and is it painful to dip a finger it is above 60C.
References:
An active amagmatic hydrothermal system: The Paralana hot springs, Northern Flinders Ranges, South Australia, Brugger J, Long N, Mcphail D, Plimer I, (2005) Adelaide University
The Microbial Community of a Radon Hot Spring, Anitori R, Trott C, Saul D, Bergquist P, Walter M, (2002) NASA