field trip: homestead crater geology 1010 self guided...

Field Trip: Homestead Crater Geology 1010 Self Guided Field Trip Investigation

Geology 1010 SelfGuided Field Trip Investigation

Henry Tran

November 11, 2015

Salt Lake Community College


The Homestead Crater was the place chosen for the field trip investigation. The trip was

spearheaded by Quincy Norton and I accompanied him to the geological site. Given the name of

the geological site,it is a crater. Homestead Crater is a hot spring or “hot pot” in Midway, Utah.

It can be used for many things such as being a tourist attraction and the most common activity,

scuba diving. In addition the crater could be a potential place for geothermal energy as an

alternative for fossil fuel (Kohler, 1979). The uniqueness of the crater for most people is the fact

that it’s open year round due to the remaining warm temperatures in every season. This research

paper will discuss the features of the crater and the observations I have made. To elaborate, parts

of the paper will be covering the human contamination the crater has faced. Secondly, the size

and material the crater holds and the water within the crater.

Once at the site, I find that the crater had been slightly “modified” for the visitors to

either take a swim inside or take a look from the top. For instance on the outside of the crater

there is a cemented pathway and stairs that lead to the top. Furthermore there is an artificial pool

on the outside to serve as a placeholder for water coming out of the crater, assuming that it

prevents an overflow from the pool. In addition the water exiting to the outside has not created a

giant hole as I once thought, but small pockets that are visible because of the erosion. This

spectacular geological site contains a manmade tunnel into the inside of the crater where the hot

springs are. The tunnel itself is 110 feet and was initiated by Dr. Simons. Nevertheless the

obvious attraction for people is the warm pool within the crater(Legacy Resort Management). It

is mostly used for diving and acquiring a scuba diving certification(Legacy Resort Management

LLC). Furthermore the crater is surrounded by a resort in hopes to gain more revenue for the

business that owns it. Although this section of the paper may seem useless, human contamination


significantly altered halting the size of the crater (Blackett and Wakefield, 2004). During my

time at the crater, it does not seem to have any environmental issues.

One of Homestead’s important geological part is the obviously the crater and how it

looks. On the outside of the crater I measured that it was at least two stories taller than the resort

and other surrounding structures. Considering that the tufa (deposit caused by the humidity as a

result of the high temperatures in the hot spring) and other natural material compiling the crater’s

structure over the course of several years (Ege, 2004). The tufa comes from the water within the

crater releasing carbon dioxide gas, subsequently making the calcium carbonate creating the

material of the crater (Ege, 2004). In addition the crater is measured to be 55 feet high and 200

feet in diameter (Blackett and Wakefield, 2004).

Inside the crater, I find that the interior structure of the crater has eroded over the years,

possibly due to the rising humidity from the water. Aside from the interior of the crater being

affected by the humidity it prevented Norton and I to stay for a longer amount of time, but we

took our pictures regardless of the issue. The hot springs components such as its chemical

composition, geological process to the crater, and so forth is another aspect of the crater. There’s

no explanation on how the temperature remains constant based on my observation my hypothesis

was that there is a magma chamber beneath the crater allowing the high temperatures and

consistency. The temperature of the hot pot is approximately 95 to 96 degrees Fahrenheit (Ege,

2004). The source of the water was not visible but, Norton and I came to a conclusion that there

is a water reservoir near the site. It is said that the water comes from the rain and snow falling

down into a “fracture” within the Wasatch Range making ground water which will slowly move

and rise into the surface of Midway (Baker, 1968). Even Though the chemical composition of


the water is not visible during my visit at the geological site, there has been several sources can

identify them. It is said that most of the water contains calcium but other chemicals too (Blackett

and Wakefield, 2004). So for instance the other chemicals is sulfur, sodium, magnesium,

potassium (Blackett and Wakefield, 2004). Overall the water’s chemical composition and

temperature is a component of how the crater what it is today.

In conclusion the field trip investigation of Homestead Crater is has it’s uses for humans.

The most popular activity at Homestead is scuba diving in the hot pot. However even just

walking around and taking a look at the crater for visitors. Even though human intervention of

the crater altered it’s size, the crater has it’s unique geological features that may attract many

geologist. To go in specifics it may be where the source of the water it comes from. On other

hand it may be the hot spring temperature remaining constant all year long. Nevertheless,

Homestead is worth traveling whether it’s for scuba diving or taking a look the geological site

has it’s fascinating features from all the factors mentioned in the paper.


Work Cited:

● Ege, C. (2004). GeoSights: The Midway Hot Pots – natural hot springs, Wasatch

County. Retrieved November 26, 2015, from Utah Geological Survey

● Baker, Ch. H., Jr., (1968) “Thermal Springs Near Midway, Utah,” in Geological Survey

Research: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 600D, U.S. Government Printing

Office. Retrieved November 26, 2015, from Utah Geological Survey

● Blackett, R. E. and S. Wakefield compilers (2004)., “Geothermal Resources of Utah .”

Utah Geological Survey OpenFile Report 431, CDROM, Washington, DC. Retrieve

November 26, 2015, from Utah Geological Survey

● Kohler, J. F., (1979). “Geology, Characteristics and Resource Potential of the

LowTemperature Geothermal System Near Midway, Wasatch County, Utah.” Utah

Geological and Mineral Survey Report of Investigation 142, Salt Lake City, UT.

Retrieved November 26, 2015, from Utah Geological Survey

● Legacy Resort Management LLC, “The History of the Homestead Crater” Midway, Utah.

Retrieved November 7, 2015, from Homestead Resort guides.


This pictures obviously shows part of the interior structure of the crater but the most important

part is it has eroded over the years.

Parts of the crater on the outside but those small holes in that area is where the water will exit

leading to a man made pool to serve as a placeholder, possibly in the case of overflow

prevention.


In this picture, the top of the crater has possibly some form of cement to serve as a platform for

visitors. However there is possibly “natural parts” or tufa deposits on the very top.

This picture is to serve as the overall shot of Midway and to show the crater on a different

perspective. It may not be easy to see the crater but it’s that small mound in the land.


This is a better picture of the “natural part” or tufa deposits on the top of the crater.

No geological features is visible in this picture but the only one that can show the hole of the

crater. My guess is the rising humidity and low dense land material of the crater that made the

hole early in it’s development.


Picture of the brochure can’t find it anywhere on the internet unless being at Homestead.

field trip: homestead crater geology 1010 self guided...

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