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CO2 shakes up theory of how geysers spout

Rising levels of gases lower water’s boiling point, prompting eruptions

Geyser

RAGING WATERS  Carbon dioxide is a crucial ingredient for eruptions of Spouter Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, new research suggests. The gas lowers the boiling point of the geyser water.

Jim Peaco/Yellowstone National Park/Flickr

By Thomas Sumner

- More than 2 years ago

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Monitoring the innards of Yellowstone’s gurgling geysers, scientists report in two new studies  that carbonation helps the geysers erupt like shaken cans of soda.