Hydrothermal Explosion - Cause of Explosion

Cause of Explosion

Hydrothermal explosions occur where shallow interconnected reservoirs of water at temperatures as high as 250° Celsius underlie thermal fields. Water usually boils at 100°C but under pressure its boiling point increases, causing the water to become superheated. A sudden reduction in pressure causes a rapid phase transition from liquid to steam, resulting in an explosion of water and rock debris. During the last Ice Age, many hydrothermal explosions were triggered by the release of pressure as glaciers receded. Other causes are seismic activity, erosion, or hydraulic fracturing.