hot spring

views updated May 08 2018

hot spring A continuous flow of hot water through a small opening on to the Earth's surface. The water is usually groundwater heated at depth by hot rocks and recycled to the surface by convection. Hot spring waters are rich in dissolved minerals which are often precipitated around the spring mouth.

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY

hot spring

views updated May 14 2018

hot spring • n. a spring of naturally hot water, typically heated by subterranean volcanic activity.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

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Hot Springs

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