Radioactive Water in Hot Springs

  

Radioactive Water in Hot Springs National Park

Postcard courtesy of Donna Smith

 People all over the world purchase bottled water that originates in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas.  The spring water from this little town has even been served in the White House since Calvin Coolidge.

 But the little known secret to the world is that the citizens of Hot Springs don’t have to buy spring water – they get it free!  There are two main water sources downtown – the Happy Hollow cold spring and the hot water fountains on Central Avenue.

 Legend stated that the hot water coming from the springs, and now the fountains, was “radioactive” water.  The web page http://www.hot.springs.national-park.com/ states:

 “Congress established Hot Springs Reservation on April 20, 1832 to protect hot springs flowing from the southwestern slope of Hot Springs Mountain. This makes it the oldest park currently in the National Park System - 40 years older than Yellowstone National Park.”

 The article goes on:

 “The words "hot springs" often conjure up images of volcanoes, geysers, and underground chambers of molten rock or magma, and usually these features are found associated with hot springs.

But in this area, the earth is relatively quiet. There is no evidence of magma lying close below the earth's surface to heat underground water.”

 If not volcanoes and molten rock, then what heats this water that comes to the surface at more than 140 degrees Fahrenheit?

“A natural thermal gradient heats the water, the deeper into the earth it travels, the hotter it gets. Heat is supplied from the radioactive breakdown of particles found throughout the earth's crust.” (according to the web page)

 

 

 Men Recuperating From Radioactive Bath

Postcard courtesy of Donna Smith

Could it be that the hot water is exposing local citizens to radioactivity?  Could the postcard of yesteryear be correct calling this “radioactive hot water?”

Dr. Rando PhD of Wit

PS – I personally drink the cold water from Happy Hollow!

Special thanks to John William Uhler and http://www.hot.springs.national-park.com/ for information in this article.

 

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