Fly Geyser in Nevada, USA

The Fly Geyser in Nevada, USA

Nestled on a patch of private land in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, the Fly Geyser also known as Fly Ranch Geyser is one of the coolest attractions, though many residents still do not know it exists. Fly Geyser, which spews waters about five feet high, lies about a third of a mile from State Route 34, a road which functions as the only viewpoint since the geyser is not open to the public. The Fly Ranch property, on which Fly Geyser resides, has been purchased by Burning Man. DO NOT TRESPASS. Fly Geyser is on private property.

The coordinate of the Fly Geyser

40°51′34″N 119°19′55″W

The History of Fly Geyser

The source of the Fly Geyser field's heat is attributed to a very deep pool of hot rock where tectonic rifting and faulting are common. Fly Geyser is not an entirely natural phenomenon; it was accidentally created by well drilling in 1964 exploring for sources of geothermal energy.  The well may not have been capped correctly, or left unplugged, but either way dissolved minerals started rising and accumulating, creating the travertine mound on which the geyser sits and continues growing. The geyser contains several terraces discharging water into 30 to 40 pools over an area of 74 acres. The geyser is made up of a series of different minerals,but its brilliant colors are due tothermophilic algae.

In 1964, Fly Geyser began erupting with scalding water in multiple places, after a second poorly-capped well was dug not far from the first. The repetitive eruptions dissolved minerals and over time, the mineral deposits developed the mount and various terraces that now surround the ever-growing geyser. And thanks to thermophilic algae that thrive in the wet, hot conditions created by the geyser, breathtaking reds and greens streak the mounds.

The Fly Geyser in night

While the original Fly Geyser no longer hisses steaming water, another mount two additional geysers in the area have followed in its path. Though the attraction is located on private land and not open to tourists, visitors who make arrangements with the owners ahead of time are often able to get a closer look for a fee.