World's Only Moving Geyser and its Path of Destruction - Visiting the Niland Geyser
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
- Just north of Niland, California is the Niland Geyser, an oddity of science believed to be the world's only moving mud pot or mud volcano. Near the Salton Sea, where Niland is located, mud pots or geysers aren't very out of the ordinary, but this one is.
The Niland Geyser first appeared in a field in 1953, and there it stayed for over 60 years, until, for some reason, it started moving around 2015. At first the geyser only moved by about 20 feet per year, then it sped up. In its path was a rail line, then California State Route 111.
Despite their best efforts, the railroad was unable to stop the Niland Geyser from destroying the train tracks in 2019, and now it has reached Highway 111.
In this video we travel to the Niland Geyser to take a look at it's current position and the state of the road.
For more on the science of the Niland Geyser, check out this great video by Physics Girl: • World's Only Moving Mu...
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The very definition of a sidetrack adventure.
I didn't even think of that while we were out there. Kicking myself now.
Nailed It John! Salute
You could call the relocated track a "shoofly"...
the definition of a waste of taxpayer dollars. road infrastructure is costly and inefficient
Mother Nature’s etch a sketch.
The fact that scientists don't know why this is happening tells you how much more humans need to learn about this world. Keep at it scientists.
Volcanology is one of the most difficult fields of study in the natural world, it is very hard to overstate the complexities and uncertainties that go on deep underground
Well it is trying to understand what's happening through the opaque ground beneath us, possibly a few miles deep even. The best we can do is speculate or make small simulations, but these will never perfectly fit what exactly we're looking at.
I dunno why but I read that final sentence in a Cave Johnson voice
At the same time blaming man for too much CO2 emissions. Volcanic activity doesn't factor in to their sudo science.
@@denyscpoyner I think you mean "pseudo". Ignorance will only ruin the world for future generations. Always err on the side of caution.
Very cool and informative video, Steve! I had heard about this moving geyser several years ago and was intrigued by it then. Never went to it. Glad you made it out there and got close footage of it. When I read about it several years ago, I was under the impression that the state had blocked off access to it for obvious reasons. Looks like that’s no longer the cases if one is able to walk right up to it. But, as you mentioned, the increased level of carbon dioxide gas is a hazard, that’s for sure. Thanks for documenting this unique and destructive natural feature.
I think it was blocked off when it was taking out the railroad, but nothing now. It will be something when it gets through the road and they have to scramble to rebuild it before it takes out the new alignment.
@@SidetrackAdventures Yes, that’s what I remember - when the geyser was near the railroad tracks, it was made off limits. It definitely is something worth watching to see how long it continues its march across the desert. I like the information you gave in the video, however, when you said that the geyser will eventually stop moving once it’s in a direct line with its source underground. Great information!
Thanks for posting this, very interesting. Had no idea this existed. Wonder if anyone has calculated the amount of Co2 and what sounded like hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell), it could be other sulfides as well.
On another note, you mentioned falling in and the Co2 killing you quickly. If you ever want to do a 'safe' experiment of this, buy some soda water in a 2liter plastic bottle, drain out or drink most of it. When you have like 10-20percent left, shake the bottle to release as much Co2 as possible. Put it to your lips and inhale as best you can. Might not believe how quickly your body goes into panic mode.
I did this accidentally, thinking I'll inhale to collapse the bottle before tossing away. OMG, the shock of that experience was enlightening. You hear about people swimming into an old mine and when they come up for air on the inside, they gulp 'bad air' and quickly die. Well, this little experiment will give a tiny taste of how quickly this happens. If someone tries this, just be careful you don't fall over and hurt yourself. Obviously, if you any medical conditions, don't try at all.
Thanks I did this, passed out and busted my head on the dining room table.
I repeat don’t be an idiot like me. Please don’t do this. I’m considering filing charges against the guy that suggested it. Y’all should see what he done to me.
lolol@@KuntryBoyCitySlick
@@KuntryBoyCitySlick oh goodness! agreed.
@@KuntryBoyCitySlickwomp womp
When my family moved, we had bought some dry ice, put it in a trash can with lid, and used that to store our frozen meats while we moved 500 miles north. After we got there, I for some idiotic reason (probably being 16 years old had something to do with it) took the lid off and bent down and inhaled the sublimed CO2. Do.Not.Recommend. It was like inhaling soda straight from the bottle plus the added fun of the oxygen deprivation. 0/10 would not try again.
Thx for posting!! I am knowledgeable about most places in SoCal but over the years I somehow missed this place. Nice research and videos..keep em coming!
Look at this area on Google Earth, and you'll see that the whole Salton Sea area is just an extension of the Gulf of California.
I imagine it goes all the way up to death Valley. Water has collected there recently and it's salt water also.
Thank you so much for these videos. It's of particular interest to my husband and me because we live in Las Vegas, so should be able to check out some of these nearby interesting areas that we didn't even know existed! You do a great job! Thank you, thank you!!
*Another great video, keep up the great work I really enjoy watching your content!*
THANK YOU STEVE AND MSES FOR GRATE VIDEO AGAIN,,SAFE TRAVELS..
Thank you.
Seems like a delightful place for a picnic.
Such a quaint oddity! The views from above really show what's going on :-)
Steve, Thank You Sir, Your expertise in history in all the spots you visit is amazing. Your wife must be a very understanding lady to have your back, traveling to all these places Thank You Both
I'll always remember this geyser in a funny way, because a while ago I heard about it and noticed there wasn't a Wikipedia article for it yet, so I created one with just like one sentence then I get to come back and see what people grew it into.
That's pretty funny. There's a decent sized page there now.
Amazing. It's been 35yrs since I drove thru Niland.
Seen before! Appreciate update!
As I understand the geothermal activity in the area is less from the San Andreas fault and more from the Salton Sea depression being an extension of the Gulf of California, which is there because the continent is spreading apart. And the spreading actually extends north into Owens Valley east of the Sierras as opposed to along the coast
I have never heard of this happening. Thank you Steve for the information
Fascinating! Very nicely done! I really enjoyed watching it. Thank you.
I wonder how much it derives from ground water pressure generated by the Salton Sea (which is itself not natural in the usual sense).
The elevation of the Salton Sea has been dropping for years. Seems reasonable that this would change the dynamics of the water table.
Awesome Steve Thinking about checking it out this weekend. Another great video see ya next time 😊
Thank you for your service sir.
Never heard about this.
Thanks for the details . I've past by that area of Hwy 111 . Thanks STA
Fascinating! This is the first I've heard of this.
Very interesting .I learn something on all these videos
I used to go out that way. Lots of very interesting and beautiful geography in that area.
Good video, very interesting. thanks for sharing.
So interesting. I moved to Imperial Valley in 1966, the bubbling mud pot used to be small!
I was surprised how big it has gotten.
Thank you for another great history lesson. Love your videos
Nice update.
Never heard of this. Very interesting.
Very interesting Steve
Thank you
Joe. 😮
A buddy of mine had his plane in Niland. We would drive from San Diego to the mainly crop-dusting airport there and fly to Vegas for weekends with our girls in the early 80's.
I was hoping, that you would show the approximate path, this geyser traveled. Did it leave=any obvious super smooth spots? depressions? rough places? or did it just move and leave no discernable scars to track its path? The Salton sea area is also where Slab City is, where an old military base was taken over by people that have no place to go. Its interesting area. It seems everything is one type of anomaly or another. Salton sea is dead or dying.
I love this. wonderful. Thanks Steve. I never knew such a thing could exist. wow. I suppose it is moving along with the mishmash called the Saint Andreas in the Salton Sea are. Could you tell us where all that water goes? Much obliged.
In the late 70s-mid 80s, i drove back and forth along 111 hwy. Never new about this until a few years ago.
Great video😊
Great video!🙂
Amazing, I never heard anyone speak of this before
Interesting as always!
Thank you.
Overlanding + Nerdy Geography. Hell yeah! Thanks a bunch for sharing this mini adventure with us. My father ate this kind of stuff up and would have taken us for a family pilgrimage from Georgia to check this thing out if he'd know about it when he was alive.
This video made me subscribe!
I did a pilgrimage from GA...I went right by and had no idea it was there. It's funny how much you miss even when your purpose is exploring.
That's right next to my dove hunting spot. Never knew what the construction on the highway was. Now I know. Thanks for the video.
It seems that the geyser will be moving for a long time, as long as the San Andreas Fault is active/moving. Another great watch...........
Been there multiple times when it was running up against the railroad. Made a vid long ago. Good stuff. Cheers!
Great video, thanks for sharing this. But it left one important unanswered question. What fills in behind the mud pot as it moves? Is there some seemingly magical subducted dirt movement?
Caltrans.
Thank you. Very informative. Not sure I would call it a geyser. More of a mud pot.
Great video, full of useful information, entertaining and instructional. Very professional and quite fascinating.
Wonder what the people living near it think as it edges gradually closer…
This is so cool.
It's interesting to see how a poor area handles such a hazard. A couple orange cones should keep anyone from falling in and dying. In a different county, they'd probably have a fence and warning signs everywhere. You absolutely cannot swim in bubbling water. I'm not sure the gas collecting on the surface would even have a chance to suffocate you.
I was inspired to make a side trek to this fascinating geyser. Smells like rotten eggs (hydrogen sulfide). Also worth visiting are the nearby mud pots and lava domes. Thanks for this video!
I've heard of that before, but it was cool to see the area. I am surprised the water isn’t warm. I wonder what sort of studies they have done on it.
Cool video!
As a rule, stuff like this is boiling hot, which is why the water comes out of the ground in the first place. I appreciated him specifically saying this thing is NOT hot.
That's pretty interesting man! I wonder if the "Geology Hub" channel might get interested in this feisty cool geyser?
How do you find these fascinating stories?
This was so strange and interesting!
Thanks for sharing! 😊
I live 40 minutes away from Salton Sea, southern California, I live close to the fair as well
i remember watching a video about it reaching the rail lines. a while back. feels a bit soon that its at the heighway already.
Wow. This video deserves a "Duuuuuude".
Too bad it's so funky. Would be lovely to have a fresh water spring in the middle of the parched desert.
Yeah, this water is not drinkable for sure.
You’re 9 miles north of my home town, Calipatria. Currently in Canada.
Damn, nature, you crazy!
You stand corrected, sir.
Nature always wins.
This particular natural feature reminded me of Physics Girl. She was here too.
I've driven by this multiple times and had no idea of its existence.
Curious, is the water fresh or salt?
It's interesting that you mentioned all the horse flies and then you talked about all of the CO2 in the area. Horse flies (and other biting flies) are attracted to CO2. This is one of the ways that they find a blood meal as all mammals exhale CO2. So it is possible that the horse flies were already in the area but were even worse around the geyser due to the CO2 emissions attracting them.
Once that Mud Pot goes by the freeway I think they should use the extra road to build a rest area then maybe like a little viewing area that points out where the Mud Pot is
Someone could make a monster movie based on this...
Considering there’s an asphyxiation hazard it’s kind of weird there’s no signage to stay back from the edge, since it’s out in a public place and the danger wouldn’t be known to the average person.
I remember those biting flies from a canoe trip on the Colorado 50 years ago. Those bites are painful.
I was surprised how fast they bit.
A bit like Rotorua in New Zealand only the mud pools don't move around.
Thank you, Steve. Your VLogs are great. How do you find these places?
Thank you. I heard about this place a few years ago when it first started causing problems, and I was actually out here planning on checking out a kind of ghost town that was on an island in the Salton Sea. I couldn't actually get to that because of several problems, and I remembered this was in the area.
Owner property in Bombay Beach and have heard about this for years. It'll be interesting if it reaches the sea.
Hi thank you for the video can you tell me what mile marker this is at ?? ALSO can you stay at the Niland Motel or is there people who will break into your car there ?? I want to tour the salton sea Thank You
That's cool.
If only there was a visual sighting map, showing the direction (path) and time frame in years, months, days of motion to track the paths movement. If there is one, I'd like to see it; I haven't found one yet. However, what it would tell us is, when it started, how fast it began to move, and then, if any slowing was occurring over time. If by chance the Geyser is spewing upward at an angle, it could be determined by calculation at what angle it is moving to determine its central location underground. If it is slowing down, it is likely that it is coming closer to its central location... that's one theory of mine. However, if the motion is nearly constant, then it may be a hotspot, and it will continue to move indefinitely. Again, that is simply a theory of mine. Since there is (in this video) a concern that it could stop in-between the two freeways, it is important to examine the movement shown over time to see if in fact there is evidence of the 'upwelling' slowing down. Again, this 'slowing down' may be an indication that it is reaching it central location, and thereby, allow researchers to determine when and where it is most likely to come to rest.
it is not simply the fault , north America ran up and over the top of the pacific mid ocean ridge. the Salton Sea area is part of a rift zone that extends from the sea of Cortez through the Owens valley up past Reno and dead ends someplace near the Yellow Stone complex. this region accounts for the fact that the west coast moves west much faster than the east coast is moving. at some point the Salton sea and Death Valley will merge with the sea of Cortez as the west coast gets peeled away by the northward relative motion of the pacific plate
Not only a moving geyser, but also a moving highway. Two spectacles for the price of one😎
That is interesting. If it is moving ten feet per month did they move the highway far enough away?
I wonder if they tested that tilted conduit theory by drilling holes on the other side of the road to see if they could get it to surface over there.
Kinda interesting 👍
Blessed to have a wife to share your adventures
A ton of rocks is like one rock😂 Good video (being serious 😊)
How deep is this thing? Really interesting
I would have loved to see the misses running around.
I assume they didn't elevate the new highway due to lack of funds, but that would have allowed the mud pot to continue on its way under the new road without having to rebuild it in another 20 years or so.
Amazing! Extraordinary! A lot of water welling up. Can't it be filtered and used for irrigation? Seems like such a waste. But then, if use was possible, it would've been done by now. Where was the water diverted to by those huge white pipes when it was in the now dry pit? Is the sulfur one of the reasons the water can't be used. Oh, so many questions! Really piqued my curiosity. I'll think about this for the rest of the day while I do fall cleanup in my yard, and probably look it up later. Thank you.
I'm not sure if it can be filtered or maybe it would just cost more than its worth? The water eventually reaches the Salton Sea.
What is going on in the sky behind you at beginning?😮 thanks.
True nature does always win!! I worked on this project. We actually built 2 Route 111 detours, or I guess we built the detour twice. We did the first one and then the geyser took a turn so we had to extend it!! It looked like you were standing where the original detour ended It has been approaching at an oblique angle, which is really hard to predict due to the width of the 'puddle' and the short baseline to use to project the path.
I heard the railroad really did throw everything they had at it. It just ate all that rock and steel up. Caltrans benefited from their experience and we knew that we just need to let it do its thing and get out of the way. Hopefully we can make a straight road again one day. I really hope this thing doesn't kill someone.
Really cool to hear from someone who worked on it.
Why did they move the highway in the geyser’s direction of travel?
That is a lot of water! I can't see where it's all going though
What doesn't evaporate goes into the Salton Sea.
It just hit me, the RR did a sidetrack!
I wish I thought of that when I was out there!
Someone needs to make a children's book about Nile the Niland Geyser, who one day decided to go find his source.
I watched videos of them building those walls he mentioned a few years ago and I just couldn't help but laugh at them at the time.
I'm not a geologist but I know enough about geology and more important, the water table to know that the walls AND the rocks were pointless.
The actual water table there is probably oh, over 100 feet down. You'd have to build a wall DEEPER then the bottom of whatever aquifer the water is coming from. You'd also have to built it WIDER then it also. ..and that could potentially mean a wall well over a mile wide people..if not MORE and in the ground, 100+ feet deep. The rocks flat out were just stupid and pointless from the start and would NEVER do anything to stop the geyser from moving.
The water is coming up to the surface because of pressure underground forcing it up.
Yet, they had hired extremely educated engineers to work on stopping the thing. I seem to remember that they either did not bother talking to a geologist though. Or if they did, that the railroad company ignored them... and I guess the state did also. I can't remember what happened for sure.
---- I'm pretty sure that any geologist would have been like, "NA, don't try stopping it, move the highway and rail road."
The video I watched was of a geologist doing her best NOT to laugh at them for trying to stop the thing from moving.... I think even while they were working on it. She indeed didn't laugh but she was highly amused and incredulous at them.
Oh btw, I also seem to remember that the rail company made the state pay for ALL of the work to stop the thing from moving. I bet they also made the state pay to move the railroad.
There are a bunch of videos on here about this thing.
Are those railroad tracks that its currently eating?
Is it a sign of a bad neighborhood, if the mudpit decides to leave?
The Niland Geyser has moved a few hundred feet since 53', yet they installed the new highway 100 feet from its current location? maybe they know something I don't, but that sounds like another multi-million dollar investment in 20 years
This is quite the example of long-term unintended consequences that can arise when people think that they can control the natural world. The Salton Sea was once a dry lake bed, but it became wet again because of a failure of the irrigation canals that were built to allow farming in the area. It got even larger over time because of continued irrigation. Had the canals not been built, or if water had been managed better so that the Salton Sea could dry up, this mud pot would have never existed.
Very interesting feature but, How can you say “The worlds ‘only’ moving Geyser / mud-pot”?
Another great story Steve 👍🏼. yep … sometimes you just can’t beat mother nature 🤷🏼♂️… now i read somewhere they found a gold mine of stuff to make car batteries near there ? if it’s true they won’t have to rely in other countries 🤷🏼♂️. i’m not a fan of electric cars just yet but to find the key ingredients for the batteries is kinda cool … have you heard anything like that ? thank you again Steve , great story 😎
Yeah, apparently the Salton Sea area has a lot of lithium. There's a lot of infrastructure around that starting to pop up.
@@SidetrackAdventures well , there goes the neighborhood 😎. no more cheap rent … i like that Salton Sea area . stayed at a state park for $15 bucks a night . and yes, that was 10 years ago 🤷🏼♂️
"She won't let me film her but..." lol