<p>The answer to the first question is a maybe, hot-springs often have mineral saturated water that can create layered deposits which may be datable, much like tree rings. If reasonably uniform flow and mineralisation rates can be demonstrated over time then reasonably accurate dating may be possible.</p>

<p>As to the second question, we have a saying "how long is a piece of string?" meaning there is no universal answer, some springs may be seasonal, only flowing for a few months at any given time, while others may flow continuously for hundreds of years then stop abruptly for no apparent reason. There are no "in general" each and every set of geothermal plumbing is unique.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-09T03:19:42.923Z
Is there any literature for your first answer?
fly samc
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-12T10:42:22.273Z
@flysamc [This Article](https://pubs.usgs.gov/bul/1444/report.pdf) talks about the composition and growth rates of the deposits from mineralised water at Mammoth Springs in Yellowstone Park, including average rates of deposition.
Ash
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-08T18:43:31.913Z
2018-08-08T18:43:31.913Z
Ash
<p>Is there any way we can calculate the time when a particular hot spring come into existence? Also I wanted to know what is average time period for a active hot spring in general, whether it can flow for geological time scale or can be only in 100s of years?   </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-08T18:03:29.087Z
The tags are not appropriate for this questions as I am not able to find one and I don't have enough reputation. If possible someone please create tags which encompasses these topics. Thanks.
fly samc
<water><geothermal-heat>
How we can find hot spring genesis time?
fly samc
# How we can find hot spring genesis time?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-08-08)

Is there any way we can calculate the time when a particular hot spring come into existence? Also I wanted to know what is average time period for a active hot spring in general, whether it can flow for geological time scale or can be only in 100s of years?

**Tags:** water, geothermal-heat

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: The tags are not appropriate for this questions as I am not able to find one and I don't have enough reputation. If possible someone please create tags which encompasses these topics. Thanks.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-08-08. Score: 2

The answer to the first question is a maybe, hot-springs often have mineral saturated water that can create layered deposits which may be datable, much like tree rings. If reasonably uniform flow and mineralisation rates can be demonstrated over time then reasonably accurate dating may be possible.

As to the second question, we have a saying "how long is a piece of string?" meaning there is no universal answer, some springs may be seasonal, only flowing for a few months at any given time, while others may flow continuously for hundreds of years then stop abruptly for no apparent reason. There are no "in general" each and every set of geothermal plumbing is unique.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Is there any literature for your first answer?  
> **username_1**: @username_0 [This Article](https://pubs.usgs.gov/bul/1444/report.pdf) talks about the composition and growth rates of the deposits from mineralised water at Mammoth Springs in Yellowstone Park, including average rates of deposition.  

---

