Big Mine Run Geyser
This geyser is located just outside Ashland, Pennsylvania and only a few miles below the abandoned town of Centralia. It is unofficially know as Big Mine Run Geyser due to the road that runs along the location. Although not a natural geyser as it is not driven by pressure generated by thermal activity, it is considered the only "geyser" on the east coast of the United States.
From the mid 1800's until is closure in the early 1930's, The Bast Colliery produced nearly 10 million tons of anthracite coal. The material extracted left many miles of shafts and tunnels below ground. After the mines had been abandoned, they began to flood. With this flooding the water began to build up immense pressure and had no where else to go. It eventually found relief through an old ventilation hole. The hole is approximately 32 inches in diameter and a depth of 300 feet. Depending on the amount of rainfall the area has received will determine the height of the geyser. During the spring it can be erupting from the ground as much as 10 to 15 feet, whereas during the late summer months it could as low as a few feet. As with most deep mine seepage, the rocks and ground surrounding the geyser are stained an orange hue due to high amounts of iron-oxide dissolved in the water. The water from the geyser flows about 25 feet down the hillside and empties into Mahanoy Creek.
If the geyser hole is capped it would likely find another way out, possibly flooding nearby basements.
The geyser is located on private property but can be viewed from the nearby road without trespassing. There is enough room along Big Mine Run Road for a car to pull over, there is no need to leave the road in order to figure out the answers.
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** Photo of the geyser with you or your gps attached to your log **
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1. What is the height of the geyser upon your visit?
2. Can you tell me if the area had received a high amount of rainfall?
3. Is there any smell present in the vicinity of the geyser, if so what does it smell like?
4. Why do you think the smell is present?
5. Why is the sorrunding area staind an orange color?
Additional information can be found at:
https://uncoveringpa.com/big-mine-run-geyser-in-pennsylvania
https://www.centraliapa.org/ashland-mine-geyser-near-centralia/
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-pennsylvania-geyser.html