Nestled approximately 32 kilometers north of Gerlach in Washoe County, Nevada, the Fly Geyser is a remarkable but relatively unknown tourist attraction. It stands adjacent to the pristine Fly Reservoir lake, boasting a height of more than 3.5 meters. Interestingly, it’s not a completely natural phenomenon; there are actually two geysers on the site.
The genesis of the first geyser dates back to 1916 when the owner of a private farm drilled a well in hopes of transforming the arid desert into fertile grassland. However, his drilling inadvertently tapped into a geothermal water pocket, giving rise to the initial geyser.
In 1964, a geothermal energy company was conducting a test drill on the same land when they unexpectedly encountered a geothermal geyser with water boiling at about 200 degrees Fahrenheit. This led to the geyser erupting with a height of 1.5 meters. The vivid, otherworldly colors of the geyser result from a combination of minerals, hot gases, and thermophilic algae that thrive in the hot and humid conditions.
Upon first glance, the landscape resembles a scene from a sci-fi movie set on Mars. Over time, the Fly Geyser has continued to expand, sustained by a constant supply of minerals and hot gas. Remarkably, it has fostered its own ecosystem, with several species of birds and fish now calling it home.
The ejected minerals have formed a distinctive mound, standing at approximately 10-12 feet (about 2 meters) in height, adorned with a variety of green and red hues. Notably, this geyser’s interior also contains rapidly growing quartz, a process that typically takes around 10,000 years in geysers, adding to the site’s enchantment.
The Fly Geyser resides on privately owned Fly Ranch grassland within a fenced-in area, accessible only via a small dirt road.
This captivating natural wonder has provided boundless inspiration for photographers from around the world, as visiting the Fly Geyser feels like stepping into a surreal Martian landscape. Every year, it beckons numerous tourists to come and explore its unique and mesmerizing features.
