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Thermal spring in Alaska From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kanuti Hot Springs is a geothermal spring in an area of critical environmental concern in the Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska, 15 miles north of the Arctic Circle.[1][2][3]
Kanuti Hot Springs | |
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Location | Alaska |
Coordinates | 66°20′30″N 150°50′44″W |
Type | geothermal spring |
Temperature | 110°F to 151°F |
The hot mineral water emerges from the ground between 110 °F to 151 °F.[4] Colonies of cyanobacteria grow in the spring, coloring areas along the edges with white, yellow and orange residue.[1] Rainwater percolates through a deep fracture in the bedrock where it is heated by magma and emerges through rocks near the surface.[5] Granitic rocks of the hot springs pluton have intruded on the south side of the Caribou Mountain complex. There is no indication of asymmetrical profiles that are characteristic of ultramapfic complexes.[6]
The hot springs are located in a very remote area and are accessible during the winter months only via the Dalton Highway (mile marker 103).[7]