Location: Antofagasta
Number of springs: 110
Tatio Geysers or Los Geiseres del Tatio is an area in Antofagasta in Chile that is famous for its geologic activity. Tatio Geysers contains more than 100 geysers that regularly shoot boiling water and hot air from beneath the ground. Tatio Geysers are located at an elevation of at 4,320 meters above sea level. El Tatio is the third-largest geyser field in the world and the largest in the southern hemisphere. The term "tatio", that gives Tatio geysers its current name, is derived from the native Kunza language and means "to appear", "oven", but it has also been translated as "grandfather" or "burnt". The last name might be more correct and to the point. Tatio geyser field is also known as the Copacoya geysers. The earliest mentions of geysers in the region are from the late 19th century, although local native tribes were aware of this geologic formation.
El Tatio has about 80 geysers, approximately 8% of those in the
world. Despite the number of geysers, the eruptions are not very high,
reaching an average of 76 centimeters. The water emerges at a
temperature of about 86 ºC, which is its boiling point at this altitude.
It is estimated that the place is visited by about 100,000 tourists each
year. People generally take a tour of the Atacama Desert and the town of
San Pedro de Atacama before going to El Tatio.
The water
reservoir is inside the volcanic rocks, covered by impermeable layers;
faults drive hot water to the surface. The heat source is unknown, but
it may be magma or igneous intrusion.
According to a study carried out in 2002 by the Geyser Observation
and Study Association (GOSA), this geothermal field is made up of 100
springs inventoried so far, of which 80 active or true geysers
correspond and about 30 they are springs of perpetual eruption.
The average height of springs is 69 centimeters, while the average
height of true geysers is 76 centimeters on average. The true geysers of
Tatio represent 8% of the total worldwide.
The El Tatio
geothermal field comprises an area of 10 km², made up of hot springs
and sinter terraces, it is located at a height of 4,290 m.a.s.l. which
positions it as the highest geothermal field in the world and in terms
of extension it is the largest in South America and the third largest
worldwide.
It is located in the upper part of a tectonic pit or
graben about 4 kilometers wide by 6 kilometers long, which make up the
Tatio valley and is flanked on the eastern sector by a horst or tectonic
massif called Serranía Tucle-Loma Lucero. , composed of andesitic
stratovolcanoes and that make up the natural geographical limit with
Bolivia. While to the west it is flanked by the so-called El Tatio
Volcanic group, made up mainly of rhyolitic domes.
The place
where the graben is located has a filling of volcanic rocks 800 to 2000
meters thick. Thanks to the existence of relatively impermeable tuffs
and ignimbrites, the hot water moves to the place where it outcrops due
to the presence of NW-SE and NE-SW fractures that allow the hot water to
emerge in a controlled manner.
The waters of the geothermal field
come from an area located to the East-South East of the place where the
geysers are located. This area has a surface of between 12 to 20 square
kilometers of extension. Water moves laterally from this area to the
geothermal field through three aquifers called Puripica, Salado
ignimbrites and Tucle dacite. These hot waters are fed by the Pastos
Grandes and Guacha boilers.
Areas of the Tatio geothermal field
The Tatio geothermal field has three zones with different
characteristics: The Main Terrace, located near the slope of the valley
and characterized by being the largest, with an average area of 5
square kilometers, which allows the discharge of water and which pose
large sinter terraces. The largest cones (active and inactive) are found
here, as well as the tallest geyser in the field so far observed
reaching up to 5 meters in height and the largest concentration of true
geysers, some of which have apparently predictable intervals.
The
Middle Terrace, is an esplanade located immediately to the south of the
Main Terrace, composed mainly of silica, in this terrace are the pools
or pools up to 3 meters deep with eruptions like a fountain, Its
eruptions are short and continuous, presenting erratic eruptions both in
time intervals and in height.
The Lower Terrace or also commonly
known as 'Group of the River', is located next to the Salado River and
is located 2 kilometers downstream from the Middle Basin. In this sector
there is very little silica accumulation, since there are some
underground geysers and about 10 springs with eruptions very close to
the river and reaching heights of 1 to 3 meters. Some of these eruptions
arise from within the river channels and expel sediment towards their
banks.
On July 3, 2008, the Regional Environmental Commission (Corema) of
Antofagasta approved the first phase of the exploration of geothermal
resources in an area located south of the Tatio geyser field, by the
Geotérmica del Norte company. The measure was criticized by the Council
of Atacameños Peoples, which alleged the lack of legitimacy on the part
of the State to cede the lands and also warned about the impact that
said measure could have on the ecosystem. The project was set in the El
Zoquete ravine , which in the 1970s had been used unsuccessfully by
Corfo in order to extract geothermal energy.
On September 8,
2009, while the company was carrying out exploration work on the ground,
a steam and water leak occurred in one of the wells, which reached 60
meters in height. The leak took 27 days to be controlled. The fact
alarmed the authorities and inhabitants of the area, who criticized the
exploitation of the place and the risk that this meant for the
environment. After the incident, the Regional Commission for the
Environment decided to terminate the exploration work of the company and
applied a fine of 5,500 UTM, due to "failures in the procedures, in the
safety of workers and control systems."
As a result of the
incident, an investigation was carried out to determine the consequences
it had on the environment. Once the investigation was completed, the
State Defense Council ruled out suing the Geotérmica del Norte company,
since according to the background information collected, no
environmental damage was caused.
The area between San Pedro de Atacama and El Tatio is located in the
so-called biogeographic region of the High-Andean Steppe, which is
characterized by its altitude range, which develops between 3,000 and
5,000 meters above sea level. with high aridity and a short vegetative
period. In the months of January and February, in the middle of summer,
this area is affected by rains due to the influence of the tropical
climate, it is the so-called altiplanic winter.
The part closest
to San Pedro de Atacama, between 3,000 meters above sea level and 4,000
meters above sea level, is the vegetation formation called Pre-Puneña
Shrub Steppe. Here the landscape is characterized by the presence of
small isolated bushes, some cacti and the so-called Stipa frigida yellow
straw, a tussock grass that alternates with the Coirón Stipa
chrysophylla.
Here it is common to find some cacti such as the
Kume or Chuchampe Maihueniopsis conoidea, a species that increases as
you go up. It is also possible to find Bolivian Puskayo Maihueniopsis,
the Oreganillo Acantholippia trifida, and a small bush called Pingo
pingo Ephedra breana.
Along the paths or in ravines there are
some small succulent plants such as the Básel Cistanthecelosioides,
which stands out during its flowering thanks to its bright orange,
white, red and green colors.
At this altitude, species such as
the Coralillo Lycium sp., Romero Fabiana sp. and Fabianadense and next
to some streams is the Vinagrillo Oxalis sp., a kind of clover, as well
as some species of Baccharis sp., Senecio sp. and some shrubs of Adesmia
sp.
On the way it is possible to see some specimens of Columnar
Cactus or Cardones Trichocereus atacamensis, which together with the
Yareta Azorella compact are in a vulnerable situation in this Region.
Closer to El Tatio, it is common to find species such as the Coirón
Stipa chrysophylla, which is used to cover the roofs of traditional
houses, something that can be seen in the village of Machuca. Another
species very similar to the previous one is called Paja Brava Festuca
orthophylla, the latter becomes a more frequent species above 4,300
meters above sea level.
The area where the Tatio geothermal field
is located corresponds to another vegetation formation called Sub-Desert
Steppe of the Puna de Atacama, which develops between 4,300 m.a.s.l. and
extends up to 5,000 meters above sea level It is an area that is exposed
to cold and dry winds and also to the presence of snow during the winter
months. Here the plant cover of grasses such as Coirón and Paja Brava
decrease in the form of isolated tufts, the latter being the one that
begins to predominate in the landscape.
In this sector it is
possible to find some herbaceous plants: Khachujanki Junellia
tridactyla, Capachito or Zapatito Calceolaria stellariifolia and some
fabaceae such as the Tano tano or jarillo Adesmia atacamensis, shrubby
plants such as the Ñaka tola Baccharis incarum, Supu tola Parastrehpia
quadrangularis, the Cachiyuyo Atriplex atacamensis very used by cattle
and the well-known Rica-rica Acantholippia punensis used as a medicinal
herb.
In the grassland sectors are the Marancel Perezia
atacamensis, the Chachacoma de Burro Senecio puchii and the Lenzia
Lenzia chamaepitys. While in the bofedales of the sector there is the
Arenaria Arenaria rivularis, El Pak'o Oxychloe andina and Zameioscirpus
atacamensis.
Above 4,700 meters above sea level the vegetation
decreases drastically, only some species such as Junellia sp. It blooms
shyly in these cold places during the spring.
The area of the High Andean Steppe is a habitat for many species
that live in conditions that are extreme for man.
mammals
On
the road between El Tatio and Machuca it is possible to observe in some
steep and rocky sectors the Vizcachas Lagidium viscacia, a species of
rodent similar to rabbits and that is in danger, and the Vicuñas Vicugna
vicugna, a small wild species of American camelids of the family of the
Llamas, those that are in danger and that it is possible to observe
while they pass next to the streams. Eventually, it is possible to see a
Culpeo Fox Lycalopex culpaeus, which is the only carnivore that lives in
this sector of the plateau and feeds on birds, rodents and reptiles.
Birds
In the Tatio sector there are around 36 species of birds,
most of which are waterfowl found in wetland sectors such as Putana and
Tocorpuri, including some flamingos. There are three species of
flamingos: the Chilean Flamingo Phoenicopterus chilensis, the Great
Parina Phoenicoparrus andinus and the Small Parina Phoenicoparrus
jamesi.
It is also possible to observe the Piuquén or Guallata
Chloephaga melanoptera, the Juarjual Duck Lophonetta specularioides, the
Puna Duck Anas puna, the Baird Sandpiper Calidris bairdii and the Giant
Tagua Fulica gigantea.
In the thicket sectors are the Partridge
of the Puna or Kiula Tinamotis pentlandii, Suri or Ñandú of the Puna
Pterocnemia pennata, Cordilleran Carancho 'Phalcoboenus megalopterus and
the Condor Vultur gryphus. Next to the geothermal field, it is easy to
observe the Andean Gull Larus serranus, very easy to distinguish due to
its black head and white body, and the small Northern Kite Phrygilus
atriceps, slate gray and yellow. These species should not be fed by
visitors.
Reptiles and amphibians
At this point there are two
fairly common species of lizards: the Barbara's Lizard Liolaemus
barbarae, which lives in thickets and is characterized by its brown
colors and longitudinal lines, and the Andean Lizard Liolaemus andinus,
a somewhat flatter and thicker species with brighter colors. greenish
Alongside the streams it is possible to find the Spiny Toad Bufo
spinulosus, which has some spines that are only perceptible to the
touch, the Vilama Frog Telmatobius vilamensis and the famous Hall Toad
Telmatobius halli that lives very close to the hot springs.
Protection
As a result of the environmental controversy, in December
2009 the National Congress of Chile approved a project to declare the
Tatio geothermal field of geysers as a Nature Sanctuary, a task that
remained in the hands of the National Monuments Council.
In
October 2010, President Sebastián Piñera announced that the El Tatio
geysers would be declared a protected natural area. The task was taken
on by the Ministry of Agriculture, with the intention of including the
geysers within the category of national park. However, this project did
not prosper.
In 2011, there were new initiatives by Chilean
deputies for its declaration as a national park in order to avoid future
exploitation such as geothermal energy.
Area of national
tourist interest
In 2002, this sector was declared an integral part
of the Zone of National Tourist Interest (ZOIT) in the area of San
Pedro de Atacama-El Tatio Geothermal Basin by the National Tourism
Service. However, this area was repealed along with to another 18,
through an exempt decree from the Ministry of Economy on the last day of
President Piñera's administration, signed on March 10, 2014.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in April of the same year the new
administration convened the Committee of Ministers of Tourism who decide
to revoke this measure allowing this condition to be maintained to date.
Currently, the Undersecretary of Tourism is the unit in charge of
these areas of national tourist interest, according to Law 20,423.
The Tatio Geysers Geothermal Park was delivered under a concession
for free use by the Ministry of National Assets to the Atacameña
indigenous communities of Toconce and Caspana in September 2014. This
constitutes a renewal of the first concession granted between the years
2006-2014 and which will extend for a period of 30 years and
contemplates the administration of an area of 1,533 hectares located
within the commune of Calama.
equipment
In May 2006, the works
were inaugurated that included an office for the administration, as well
as public restrooms for visitors, an access control area and a nursing
room, among others. The project was financed jointly with public
resources from Conadi, Sernatur and the private contribution of the El
Abra, Meridian and Codelco Norte mines. Its initial administration was
in charge of the communities of Toconce and Caspana.
In 2013, new
investments were made by the communities of Toconce and Caspana, which
allowed the improvement of the natural pool of thermal waters and the
implementation of dressing rooms for visitors.
After the accidents that occurred in 2003 where some tourists were
seriously burned and due to the pressure exerted by the media that
exposed the poor safety conditions and demonstrated a count of at least
10 serious accidents in a period of 5 years, as well as the lack of
hygienic services, the Regional Government of Antofagasta decided to
make an investment through the Regional Fund for Regional Development
(FNDR).
The new security measures at the Tatio Geysers were
inaugurated in July 2003 and consisted of the installation of security
signs in Spanish and English, the marking of trails and the creation of
parking spaces.
Despite the above, a fatal accident was recorded
in August 2004 as a result of the carelessness of a visitor. Another
serious accident occurred due to the carelessness committed by a British
tourist in January 2006.
In 2009, the safety of the site for
visitors was once again questioned, this time due to the damage caused
by geothermal exploration, which generated a steam leak that generated
an artificial fumarole. Both the community that administers it and the
Municipality of Calama evaluated the possibility of closing against the
risk that this meant for tourism, indicating that by that date there
were 40 companies that operated taking tourists to this attraction.
After an accident that occurred on October 8, 2015, where a Belgian
tourist was left with 85% of her body burned after falling into one of
the wells, the geothermal field was closed to evaluate the security
measures of the site and the safety signs that they are installed in
order to evaluate and prevent future accidents. This fact revealed the
lack of security in the geothermal park and the weaknesses to be able to
face similar emergencies. The community that manages the place assured
that changes will be made to avoid new accidents in the future. On the
same date, the complaint of tourists was released regarding another
accident that occurred a month earlier where the ground of a path gave
way due to the weight of a visitor, falling into the waters of an
underground geyser and causing serious injuries.
Security
background in companies
In February 2011, due to some complaints
against some adventure tourism companies that operated from San Pedro de
Atacama, inspections were carried out on guides and tour operators in
this commune. This work was developed by the Municipality of San Pedro
de Atacama, Carabineros de Chile, the Ministry of Transport, the
Ministry of Economy and Sernatur; irregularities such as non-payment of
patents, lack of a driver's license or failure to respond to possible
accidents were detected. Later, in September of that year, Sernatur and
Sernac trained businessmen and workers in the tourism sector regarding
the scope of the new Tourism Law. and the Consumer Rights Law in order
to protect both visitors and users in general.
As of June 2013,
Sernatur acquires new powers by law to supervise compliance with the
mandatory requirements that adventure tourism service providers must
meet. For this reason, in March 2014 a new training was carried out
aimed at the providers of these activities in order to correct those
services that still did not comply. That same month, similar actions
were carried out in other parts of the region.
Security Standards
According to the current Regulation, the hiking or hiking activities
that take place in the Tatio Geysers, correspond in Chile to adventure
tourism activities and as such, these companies or service providers
have the obligation to register with Sernatur and comply with standards
of security, among which are, among others, to operate with a maximum of
12 clients per guide, to have a Prevention and Risk Management Plan and
an Emergency Response Plan, while on the part of the clients they have
the obligation to inform yourself and comply with the instructions of
the guide.