How are travertine or silica deposits formed from boiling geysers and related hydrothermal systems?
A) As pressures increase less mineral matter is soluble.
B) By introduction of cold fresh recharge water which quenches the system.
C) Boiling off steam forces the remaining hot solution to be saturated or supersaturated as the same mineral content is now concentrated in less water and it precipitates.
D) More gases enter the system once boiling starts forcing precipitation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Boiling off steam from geysers and related hydrothermal systems concentrates the mineral content in the remaining water because the volume of water decreases while the amount of minerals stays the same. This leads to saturation or supersaturation of the solution, causing minerals like travertine or silica to precipitate out of the solution and form deposits.

How Are Travertine or Silica Deposits Formed from Boiling Geysers