The amazing Tatyo Geysers in Atacama Desert
The first thing we must say about this wonderful site is that the Tatio Geysers are the highest geometric field in the world, where water and steam violently burst from the ground. They are more than four thousand meters above sea level, making them the highest geysers in the world. It is the largest group of geysers in the southern hemisphere and the third largest in the world, after Yellowstone (United States) and Kronotski Nature Reserve.
Where are the Tatyo Geysers located?
The amazing tatyo geysers are located 90 kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama and have their peak time between 05:30 and 07:00 in the morning, when the height of the steam jets reaches 10 meters in height. In the early hours of the morning the temperatures are very low, even reaching -20 °. On the way back, you can take advantage of the Puritama Hot Springs, which are natural water pools. You can also visit the Machuca town that has only 20 houses and a church. The families are dedicated to herding llamas and handicrafts that they sell to tourists.
The Tatyo Geysers: A bit of geology
This geothermal field is made up of 100 springs so far inventoried, of which correspond to 80 active or true geysers and close to 30 are springs of perpetual eruption. The average height of springs is 69 centimeters, while the average height of true geysers is 76 centimeters on average. The real Tatio geysers represent 8% of the total worldwide.
The El Tatio geothermal field comprises an area of 10 km², composed of hot springs and sinter terraces, it is located at an altitude of 4,290 meters above sea level. which positions it as the highest geothermal field in the world and in terms of extension it is the largest in South America and the third largest worldwide. It is located in the upper part of a rift valley or graben of around 4 kilometers wide by 6 kilometers long, which make up the Tatio Valley and is flanked on the eastern sector by a horst or tectonic massif called Serranía Tucle-Loma Lucero , composed of andesitic stratovolcanoes and that make up the natural geographic limit with Bolivia. While to the west it is flanked by the so-called El Tatio Volcanic group, made up mainly of rhyolitic domes .
The place where the graben is located has a fill of volcanic rocks 800 to 2000 meters thick. Thanks to the existence of relatively impermeable tuffs and ignimbrites, the hot water moves to the place where it emerges due to the presence of fractures in NW-SE and NE-SW disposition, which allow the hot water to emerge in a controlled manner.
The waters of the geothermal field come from an area located to the East-South East of the place where the geysers are located. This area has an area of between 12 to 20 square kilometers in size. The water travels laterally from this area to the geothermal field through three aquifers called ignimbrites Puripica, Salado and dacite Tucle. These hot waters are fed by the calderas of Pastos Grandes and Guacha.
What are the most important geysers in the world?
These geysers that require the combination of water with heat and random pipes are quite rare to find in the world. This is how we are going to mention the first 7 found on the planet, which are: Yellowstone National Park, United States, the Dolina Geiserov, Russia; El Tatio, Chile; Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand; Iceland, The Amphitheater, Las Máquinas y las Maquinitas, Argentina and Morning Sun, Bolivia. So the Tatyo Geysers are one of the most important in the world and a must-see when you visit the area of Atacama Desert.
When to visit the Tatyo Geysers?
An important issue is the schedule in which Tatyo’s Geysers should be visited. Let us remember that they are at a height of more than 4 thousand meters above sea level. During the morning, very low temperatures occur, and that is when the jets of boiling water make their appearance.
This is how in the morning it is the time in which the jets offer the most number of exits in their number of their appearances at their highest height is when they easily manage to reach up to about 10 meters.
Tatyo Geysers Areas
There are three areas of the Tatio geothermal field which have different characteristics.
The Main Terrace
The Main Terrace is located near the sloping part of the Valley. Its main characteristic is that it is the largest. Being that it occupies an area on average that covers about 5 km2, this is how the water is discharged, and it also has large terraces called sinters. It is here that the cones that are considered larger are either active or inactive. And where it has been observed how the tallest geyser has been able to reach up to 5 meters in height. And they may appear to have some predictable intervals.
The Middle Terrace
It is located just south of the Main Terrace. Its silica composition is mainly found. In addition there are also the so-called pools or the same pool that have a depth of about 3 meters with eruptions like a fountain. In relation to the eruptions, they occur continuously and can be measured in a short way, and the eruptions are considered erratically both in terms of the intervals in time and the height they reach.
The Lower Terrace
It is also known as “Grupo del Río” and is located right next to the Río Salado and its location is about 2 kilometers down the river from the so-called Cuenca Media. There is not much presence of silica, since geysers are found underground. There are about 10 springs that erupt very close to the river and their height averages between 1 to 3 meters.
Tatyo Geysers: Fauna and Flora
It is in the Biogeographic Region of the High Andean Steppe where the area between San Pedro de Atacama and El Tatio is located. Being that it is characterized by the range it has in the altitudinal condition where it has its development between 3000 and 5000 meters above sea level. One of its characteristics is the high degree of aridity and the presentation of a short vegetative period. During the months of January and February, when the summer season is full, this area becomes affected by the rains since the tropical climate exerts its influence and this is called the highland winter. (See Copiapó article)
In the proximity of San Pedro de Atacama, which is at an altitude of about 3000 to 4000 meters above sea level, we find a formation called vegetative, which has been called Pre-Puneña Arbusive Steppe. Since the characteristics of the landscape are highlighted by the presence of isolated smaller shrubs. Like some cacti, and also what is called the Yellow Straw, which is a cespitose grass that alternates with the Coirón. Some cacti such as the Kume or Chuchampe are frequently found. This is a species that increases as it ascends on the ground. Other species that can be found is the one called Puskayo, also the Oreganillo as well as a small shrub whose name is Pingo Pingo.
In the place known as the High Andean Steppe is the habitat of various species that are living in conditions that for man would be an extreme zone. In sectors that are steep and rocky that are found on the road between El Tatio and Machuca, it is possible to observe the so-called Vizcachas Lagidium viscacia, it is a species that is very similar to a rodent similar to rabbits. In addition, this species is in danger. You can also see Vicuñas, a species considered wild of the so-called American camelids, but smaller. Being that they belong to the family of the famous Llamas. And that they are also in danger.
In addition, sometimes you can also see a Fox (culpeo Lycalopex culpaeus) being the only carnivore that is inhabiting this area of the highlands and which has its diet based on birds, rodents and also reptiles. The species of birds found in El Tatio are about 30 approximately. For the most part, they are aquatic birds that are generally established in the sectors known as wetlands such as Putana and Tocorpuri. Among the birds that stand out with more enhancement, beauty and elegance, we find flamingos. Of these birds we have that we find three species, which are: the Chilean Flamingo, La Parina Grande, La Parina Chica. In addition to these flamingos, it is also possible to see other birds such as Piuquen or Guallata, Pato Juarjual, Puna Puna, Baird’s Playero, Giant Tagua.
Also in some sectors known as scrub are the Puna partridge, Suri or Ñandú de la Puna, Carancho Cordillerano, and the mythical Condor that is visible in the vicinity of the geothermal field. Also, you can see the Andean Gull, which is distinguished by its black head and white body. You can also spot the small Northern Cometocinos. It is slate gray and yellow. Among the requirements that are asked of visitors is that they do not give any type of food to the birds or animals with which they could have access.
You can see lizards in the areas surrounding the Tatio Geysers that are considered common to two species that are the Barbara Lizard, it has its habitat in some bushes and its main characteristic lies in the Brown colors and their lines longitudinal. And the Andean Lizard, which is a flatter and thicker species that presents greenish colors.
In the areas surrounding the streams there is the possibility of encountering the Prickly Toad. This toad is covered with thorns which are not seen with the naked eye but when it comes into contact with the skin. We also have the Vilama Frog and also the Hall Toad which is famous. It is known that it has its habitat in the vicinity of the springs that produce hot water in the Tatio Geysers.
Book an excursion to enjoy the Tatyo Geysers from San Pedro de Atacama
If you´re visiting the area of San Pedro de Atacama, you can book the excursion to the Tatyo Geysers!
Visiting Atacama? check our best tours to visit San Pedro de Atacama
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It´s a nice list of four tours including the Atacama Desert in the itinerary. But, a great idea is to combine San Pedro de Atacama, with other destinations in Chile and why not… Argentina and Peru. Check some great options below:
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Photo: De Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48561257
