Mickey Hot Springs

Thermal springs in Oregon

Mickey Hot Springs

Hot springs with Steens Mountain in background

Location| Harney County, Oregon
Coordinates| 42°40′36″N 118°20′48″W﻿ / ﻿42.67676°N 118.34659°W﻿ / 42.67676; -118.34659[1]
Elevation| 4,035 ft (1,230 m)
Type| Geothermal
Eruption height| 6–8 ft (1.8–2.4 m)
Frequency| Ongoing
Temperature| 77–212 °F (25–100 °C)
Depth| ~10 ft (3.0 m)

Mickey Hot Springs

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Mickey Hot Springs

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Mickey Hot Springs is a small hot spring system in southeastern Oregon, United States. The hot springs are located at the north end of the Alvord Desert just east of Steens Mountain and north of the 2-6 Hot Springs which are much larger but less known.[1] There are several natural bubbling mudpots and steam vents. The system contains at least 60 vents, 11 of which are dry.[2] The hydrothermal system may be in its waning stages of existence.[3]

A biofilm of thermophilic bacteria in the outflow the springs.

Each vent has a characteristic temperature ranging from 77–212 °F (25–100 °C) with the average about 171 °F (77 °C). The majority of the vents are far too hot for bathing.[4][5] The water pH is neutral to slightly alkaline.[2] An ecosystem of thermophilic organisms exist in the springs, separated by temperature strata.[3]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Geographic Names Information System". edits.nationalmap.gov. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
2. ^ a b "Biocomplexity in Extreme Environments | Mickey Hot Springs". www.webpages.uidaho.edu. University of Idaho. 2006. Archived from the original on 7 July 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
3. ^ a b "A Unique Bacterial Mineralizing Environment at Mickey Hot Springs , Southeastern Oregon". gsa.confex.com. The Geological Society of America (GSA). 2003. Archived from the original on 24 October 2003. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
4. ^ "Mickey Hot Springs". blm.gov.
5. ^ Terry, Richard (2015-01-20). "Oregon hot springs beckon with warm water to blunt winter's chill (photos)". Oregon Live. Retrieved 2022-05-23.

## External links

[edit]

* Extent and location of the geothermal aquifer in the Alvord Basin, Harney County, Oregon: A study based on Strontium Isotope Geochemistry of rocks and fluids

This Harney County, Oregon state location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

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