One of the most alien-looking places on Earth is Fly Geyser in the Black Rock Desert of northern Nevada. It is an incredible experience to admire the rising Milky Way above the boiling water spouting from the geyser at new moon. Standing in 50°C (122°F) hot water while simultaneously experiencing the chilly night air and the impressive sounds of the geyser is simply exhilarating.
This seemingly extraterrestrial landscape could easily be imagined on Jupiter’s volcanic moon Io. It could also be a volcanic geyser eruption that took place billions of years ago on the early Earth. Such landscapes are rare on Earth today, but they do exist. Perhaps they help us imagine what our planet might have looked like in its beginnings.
The Milky Way, with the red Triffid and Lagoon Nebulae in the constellation Sagittarius, radiates from a distance of about 5,000 light-years. Sagittarius lies in the direction of the center of our galaxy and reveals dense populations of stars as well as thick clouds of interstellar dust that block the starlight behind them.
Heat- and sulfur-resistant bacteria thrive in the boiling water of the geyser, just as microorganisms may have done during the early stages of life on Earth. In contrast to the gray geyser cones of Yellowstone, Fly Geyser was the only geyser in the world continuously spouting boiling water from seven openings. This allowed thermophilic bacteria to feed on nutrients in the hot water. The red area was home to bacteria living in water at temperatures of up to 80°C (176°F), while different species inhabited the green area at water temperatures of up to 50°C (122°F).
Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to experience this scenery today or to repeat the image with more advanced camera technology. In the meantime, the geyser has been vandalized and has completely changed its appearance. It has lost its bizarre fountains, its distinctive shape, and its clear color separation. This is yet another example of why it is so crucial to rigorously protect such rare and phenomenal places.
