The Geoheritage of Hot Springs (Geoheritage, Geoparks and Geotourism)

The aim of this book is to provide an overview of topics related to the extensive geoheritage of hot springs, their natural environments, and their integration into commercial and industrial functions. The eleven chapters explore aspects of historical and cultural traditions, geology and geochemistry, research updates, conservation issues and of course health, wellness, and recreation throughout time. Because natural hot springs and active hydrothermal areas play a significant role in the tourism industry, visitor expectations are examined together with an assessment of common hazards and potential risks in active hydrothermal environments, along with recommendations how to stay safe. For the purpose of showcasing certain unique features, to share noteworthy events and developments or to identify concerns associated with the sustainability of natural water source, examples of particular hot spring areas are included in several chapters. One chapter is also dedicated entirely to the protection of natural hot springs and raises awareness for conservation, while another chapter reviews the history of hot springs in great detail to establish a realistic and justifiable timeline of their original use. Lastly, the significance of natural hot springs for various tourism sectors is analysed and the potential for sustainable future destination development in rural and remote regions is discussed. Many locations were considered and invite the reader to use the information as a reference point in the quest to further explore the remarkable natural and cultural geoheritage of hot springs worldwide.-- Provided by publisher Foreword Preface Contents About the Author Acronyms List of Figures List of Tables List of Examples 1 Hot Springs: A General Perspective 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Why Are Hot Springs So Popular? 1.3 Aim and Structure of the Book 1.4 Suggested Readings 1.5 Summary 1.6 Appendix References 2 The Geology of Hot Springs 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Hot Springs and Their Origin 2.2.1 Hot Springs of Volcanic Origin 2.2.2 Hot Springs of Non-volcanic Origin 2.3 Hydrothermal Phenomena 2.3.1 Surface Manifestations 2.3.2 Submerged Hot Springs 2.4 Submarine Hot Springs 2.4.1 Hydrothermal Vents 2.4.2 Black Smokers 2.4.3 White Smokers 2.5 Hot Springs—Definitions and Classifications 2.5.1 Hot Spring Temperatures and pH Levels 2.5.2 Discharge Volume of Hot Spring Water 2.6 Summary 2.7 Appendix References 3 The Geochemistry of Hot Springs 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Hydrothermal Processes 3.3 Hot Springs and Their Contents 3.3.1 Common Hot Spring Minerals 3.3.2 Radioactive Hot Springs 3.3.3 Hot Spring Gases 3.4 Mineral Deposition in Hot Spring Areas 3.4.1 Mineralised Landscapes and Vegetation 3.4.2 Ore Mineral Deposits 3.4.3 Hydrothermal Alteration 3.5 Extremophiles and Hot Springs 3.5.1 Heat-Loving Microorganisms 3.5.2 Thermophiles and Hyperthermophiles 3.5.3 Cyanobacteria and Other Microorganisms 3.6 Final Comments 3.7ƒAppendices References 4 The Conservation of Hot Springs 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Conservation of Hot Springs 4.2.1 Destruction of Hydrothermal Features 4.3 Depletion of Water Levels in Hydrothermal Systems 4.3.1 Protection of Groundwater from Over-Exploitation 4.4 Pollution of Aquifers 4.4.1 Urban, Agricultural and Industrial Runoff 4.5 Groundwater Systems: The Potential for Contamination 4.5.1 Hydraulic Fracturing—Fossil Fuel Extraction 4.6 Re-Injection of Wastewater 4.6.1 Well-Injection—Pros and Cons 4.6.2 Geologic Carbon Sequestration 4.7 Hot Spring Laws and Regulations 4.7.1 Examples from Different Countries 4.8 Hot Spring Destinations Under Threat 4.8.1 Visitor Pressure—Some Examples 4.9 What Can Be Done? 4.9.1 Recommendations for the Conservation of Natural Hot Springs 4.9.2 Best Practice Management 4.10 Conclusion 4.11 Appendices References 5 Hot Springs Throughout History 5.1 Introduction 5.1.1 Historical Development of Hot Springs—Taking the Waters 5.2 The Hot Spring Heritage of Asia 5.2.1 The Indus Valley Civilisations (IVC) 5.2.2 China 5.2.3 Taiwan (ROC) 5.2.4 Korea 5.2.5 Japan 5.2.6 India 5.3 European Origins of Hot Spring Use 5.3.1 The Greek Hot Spring Heritage 5.3.2 The Turkish Hot Spring Heritage 5.3.3 The Roman Hot Spring Heritage 5.3.4 Bath, England—Epitome of a Roman Spa Town 5.4 The Hot Spring Heritage of Western Europe 5.4.1 Italy 5.4.2 Iceland 5.4.3 Germany 5.4.4 Spain 5.4.5 Portugal 5.4.6 Belgium 5.4.7 France 5.5 Central Europe, Eastern Europe and Russia 5.5.1 Hungary 5.5.2 Romania 5.5.3 Bulgaria 5.5.4 Poland 5.5.5 Czech Republic 5.5.5.1 Slovakia and Slovenia 5.5.6 Russia 5.6 Hot Spring Use in the Middle East 5.7 The Hot Spring Heritage of Oceania 5.7.1 New Zealand 5.7.2 Australia 5.8 Historical Hot Spring Use in North America 5.8.1 Canada 5.8.2 North America 5.9 Hot Springs in Central America 5.10 South America’s Hot Spring Geoheritage 5.11 Hot Spring History in a Nutshell 5.12 Appendices App1 References 6 Hot Springs and Their Cultural Heritage 6.1 Introduction—No Life Without Water 6.1.1 Cultural Aspects Related to Hot Springs 6.2 Socio-Cultural Settings 6.2.1 Social Settings—Meeting Places 6.2.2 Historical Settings—Hot Spring Infrastructure 6.3 The Cultural Significance of Hot Spring Destinations 6.4 Customs and Traditions 6.5 Religious Aspects of Hot Spring Use 6.5.1 Water Worship 6.5.2 Purification and Cleansing 6.6 Legends and Mythology 6.6.1 Legends 6.7 Summary 6.8 Appendices References 7 Hot Springs and Their Natural Heritage 7.1 Introduction 7.1.1 Hot Springs—Close Connections Between Natural and Cultural Geoheritage 7.1.2 Natural Geoheritage—Some Examples 7.2 Natural Hot Springs, Health and Recreation 7.2.1 Hot Spring Infrastructure—Built Environment 7.2.2 Endorsement of Hot Springs 7.3 Protected Hot Spring Sites 7.3.1 National Parks 7.3.2 World Heritage Areas 7.3.3 Geoparks 7.4 Hot Spring Waterparks 7.4.1 Aquatic Entertainment on a Grandiose Scale 7.4.2 Hydrothermal Waterparks—Examples from South America and Asia 7.4.3 Hydrothermal Waterparks in Europe 7.4.4 Now and Then—A Comparison with the Past 7.4.5 How Sustainable Are Thermal Waterparks Versus Protected Natural Hot Spring Sites? 7.5 Tourism Opportunities in Hot Spring Environments 7.5.1 Geotourism and Hot Springs 7.5.2 Community Development and Capacity Building in Remote and Rural Areas 7.5.3 Essential Infrastructure—Natural Environment 7.5.4 Geo-certification to Support Conservation 7.6 Final Comments 7.7 Appendices References 8 Hot Springs, Health and Wellbeing 8.1 Introduction 8.1.1 The Attraction of Hot Springs 8.1.2 Hot Spring Health Clinics, Resorts and Spas 8.1.3 The Purpose of Hot Spring Health Facilities 8.2 Hot Springs: Are the Expectations Justified? 8.2.1 Taking the Cure 8.2.2 Hot Springs and Their Curative Value 8.2.3 Mineral Content and Temperature 8.3 Hot Springs and Spa Medicine 8.3.1 Therapy Options 8.3.2 Treatable Medical Conditions 8.3.3 Effects of Thermal Bathing or Spa Therapy 8.3.4 Potential Risks Related to Hot Spring Bathing 8.4 Hot Springs and Their Role in Rehabilitative Medicine 8.5 Hot Springs in Complementary and Alternative Medicine 8.5.1 The Concept of Prevention 8.5.2 Maintenance of Good Health 8.6 Concluding Discussion 8.7 Appendices References 9 Visitor Expectations and Risk Management at Hot Spring Destinations 9.1 Introduction 9.1.1 Visitor Statistics 9.1.2 Hot Spring Tourists—Who Are They and What Are Their Expectations? 9.1.3 Viewing of Extreme Hot Spring Manifestations 9.2 What Could Possibly Go Wrong? 9.3 Hazards and Risks 9.3.1 Toxic Hazard—Hydrogen Sulphide 9.3.1.1 Other Dangerous Gases 9.3.2 Health Risks at Hot Springs—Naegleria Fowleri 9.4 Visitor Safety at Hot Spring Tourist Sites 9.4.1 Visitor Behaviour and Risk Perception 9.5 Risk Management 9.5.1 Challenges and Strategies 9.5.2 The Importance of Safety Recommendations and Guidelines 9.5.3 Signage—The Good and the Bad 9.5.3.1 Bathing Rules—Don’t Drink and Soak 9.6 Conclusion 9.7 Appendices References 10 Glossary of Terms Related to the Geoheritage of Hot Springs 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Glossary of Terms 10.3 Final Remarks 10.4 Appendix Sourced Literature 11 Hot Springs—A Final Overview 11.1 Introduction 11.1.1 Direct Use of Hot Springs—Some Examples 11.2 The Geophysical Diversity of Hot Springs 11.2.1 Hot Springs and Sustainable Clean Energy—A Promising Concept 11.2.2 Geothermal Power—Research and Development 11.2.3 Hot Spring Geosystems and Their Exploitation for Commercial Purposes 11.2.4 The Development of Innovative Technological Solutions to Extract Geothermal By-Products 11.2.5 The Fragile Heritage of Hot Springs 11.2.6 Raising Awareness: Hot Springs and Environmental Concerns 11.2.7 Sustainability vs Over-exploitation of Hot Springs 11.3 Hot Spring Tourism—A Brief Summary 11.3.1 Hot Springs as a Resource for Health, Wellness and Recreation 11.3.2 Health and Wellness—Research Update 11.3.3 Recreational Advantages of Hot Springs 11.4 Hot Springs—Final Points of Reflection 11.5 Appendix References Geographical Index