The El Tatio Geysers, Atacama Desert, Chile - interactive 360-degree video
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IMPORTANT! Please click on the "Watch on YouTube" link for best viewing. The embedded small screen is inadequate for interactive 360 degree videos.
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360 preference survey
- If you’d like to research or purchase a 360-degree camera, here’s a link to a 360-degree camera like the one I used to produce my videos. I have nothing but good things to say about my camera (which I purchased from the same website as the link above).
A Word to the Wise
- Be prepared and dress adequately for very cold weather. The geyser field is located at 4320 m (14,170 ft). When I visited (in the winter) the temperature was -20° C (-4° F). It was brutally cold. It is most likely that you will get there about 1 hour before sunrise, when the temperature is at its lowest.
- Get dressed in layers. Have a good, warm hat and good warm gloves. I had all of the above. After about one hour of holding the metal pole that keeps the video camera in position I got the early stages of frostbite on my digits.
- After sunrise, everything changes. You will start peeling off layers. By the time you get back to San Pedro (or whatever your next destination may be), you will look at the mountain of clothes next to you in disbelief. Was I on another planet? Yes, you were… But now, let’s begin our visit.
Introduction to El Tatio Geyser Field
- There are six major geyser fields in the world (and a few minor ones).
- 1. Yellowstone National Park (United States).
2. Valley of Geysers, Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia).
3. El Tatio (Chile) – you are here.
4. Haukadalur Valley (Iceland).
5. Taupō Volcanic Zone (New Zealand).
6. Lake Bogoria (Kenya). - El Tatio Geyser Field, nestled high in the Andes Mountains of northern Chile, is a mesmerizing spectacle of geothermal activity. Its name, derived from the now-extinct Kunza language, has been translated to mean “oven,” “the crying grandfather,” or “to appear,” alluding to the dramatic and often sudden emergence of steam and boiling water from the earth. It is the highest geyser field in the world, the third largest in the world and is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Before you are disappointed by the low height of the water jets El Tatio produces, a little lesson in physics. The water boiling point at this altitude is 88°C. The lower water boiling point limits the pressure buildup and thus the eruption height. The volcanic furnace here is just as mighty as elsewhere in the world, but projecting water jets higher is a physical impossibility at this altitude. In this physical fact, there is also a caution point for visitors: with water boiling at this altitude at a lower temperature (88°C), a person’s skin will be scalded by water at lower temperatures than at low altitudes. So please don’t “test” how hot the water is (when you are freezing at -20° C) as you may get scalded sooner than you think.
Geographical and Geological Features
- Geologically, geysers are indicative of volcanic activity and hydrothermal systems, where groundwater is heated by magma beneath the Earth’s crust. The unique setting here in Atacama is a result of the subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate, leading to the creation of magma chambers. The water can accumulate in subterranean chambers until pressure builds up sufficiently to force the water out violently.
- The El Tatio field is particularly notable not only for the number of geysers: over 80 within the site. The unique location combined with the geothermal activity contributes to the striking visual wonders here, especially during sunrise when steam plumes rise against the backdrop of the Andes. These plumes of steam, backlit by the rising sun and framed by the peaks of the surrounding stratovolcanoes, create a Dantesque, ethereal landscape that is the field’s signature sight.
- The geothermal field covers an area of about 30 square kilometers, hosting over 80 active geysers, fumaroles, hot springs, and mud pots. This dense concentration of thermal manifestations is divided into two primary areas: the northern field, known for its larger fumaroles, and the southern field, which features a greater number of geysers. The sheer volume of individual thermal features is what gives El Tatio its immense presence.
- Beyond the geysers themselves, the field is characterized by striking mineral deposits. Superheated water percolating through the earth dissolves silica, which is then rapidly deposited upon reaching the surface, forming elaborate white, orange, and reddish-brown terraces, mounds, and geyser cones. These siliceous sinter formations are often colored by the presence of extremophile microorganisms—tiny life forms that thrive in the extreme temperatures and harsh chemical conditions of the thermal waters.
What Makes El Tatio Geysers Unique
- Altitude and Low Boiling Point, as mentioned above.
- Eruption Spectacle. The experience at El Tatio is dominated by the visual effect of massive steam clouds in a frigid environment, a consequence of the extreme temperature differential at dawn. This phenomenon creates spectacular towering vapor clouds that can reach heights 100 meters, providing a magical visual display against the backdrop of the Andean landscape.
- Extremophile Organisms. the unique combination of high altitude, intense UV radiation, low atmospheric pressure, and extreme aridity at El Tatio makes it an ideal analog for conditions on early Earth or even Mars. Being at El Tatio is the closest you will be to exploring another planet. The rapid silica precipitation also entraps and preserves these ancient organisms, making the sinter deposits an invaluable biological and geological record.
- These are a few elements that make El Tatio a must-visit destination for both tourists seeking marvels of nature and scientific enthusiasts eager to understand the complexities of geothermal activity and ancient microbial life on our planet and perhaps elsewhere in our solar system.
- Here are a few more images from the El Tatio geyser fields:
Look for Wildlife around El Tatio
- When you’re done visiting the geysers, on your way back, stop where it is safe and look for wildlife. You may be pleasantly surprised by what you may encounter.
- Vicuñas: A wild South American camelid, related to the llama and alpaca, often seen grazing in herds. Their fine wool is highly valued.
- South American Grey Fox or Culpeo Fox (Lycalopex culpaeus): A type of canid, sometimes seen near the geysers.
- A completely unexpected (for me) sighting. A seagul! Since there is no “sea” around, it becomes a “gull”.
- The Andean Gull: A gull species found in the high Andes.
Visiting El Tatio: Essential Information
- Visiting El Tatio is a demanding but deeply rewarding experience that requires careful planning, primarily due to the extreme altitude and cold.
- Timing the Visit: Arrive at least one hour before sunrise. This is when the temperature differential between the frigid air and boiling water is greatest, resulting in the most impressive, large steam plumes.
- Duration: Expect to be on the geyser field for at least two or three hours. Total time including getting there from San Pedro de Atacama and return is about 8-9 hours.
- Distance from San Pedro de Atacama is about 89 kilometers (55 miles).
- Transportation: The road is rough, unpaved, and often challenging, especially in the dark. The local minibus drivers know these roads, including having memorized where the biggest holes are, therefore are able to drive this 55 miles span (twice) at, let’s say, “intimidating speeds”. They drive vehicles that are perhaps made for this type of roads, and the booming business pays for frequent vehicle replacements. If renting a car, you will be well advised to rent a 4×4 vehicle. Even so, it is advisable to drive cautiously, which means it will take you twice as long to get there (and back) as the local minibus drivers.
- Admission: As of the latest updates, the cost to enter the El Tatio Geysers is about 3,000 Chilean Pesos (around $4 USD) per person. Do your research ahead of time. If taking an organized trip, find out if admission is included in the tour price. If going on your own, find out before you head out admission details. You don’t want to get there at 4 AM and not be able to visit.
- Acclimatization: DO NOT make this your first trip upon arrival in Atacama! You need a few days to acclimatize at the San Pedro altitude. Altitude sickness is unpleasant and dangerous. The only “cure” for altitude sickness is urgently going to lower altitudes. Which means a quick end to your Atacama adventure. Keep well hydrated as your body will shed water at an accelerated rate at high altitude. Skip this trip if you have medical conditions that can be aggravated by high altitude, an extremely bumpy ride or bitter cold.
- Clothing and footwear: I mentioned this at the beginning. Full winter clothing, including closed-toe, water-resistant shoes or boots.
- I will leave you with a view from the neighborhood of the El Tatio geyser field. Completely otherworldly! What planet is this on?
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