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All the United States Wyoming Afton Intermittent Spring

Intermittent Spring

A miraculous natural phenomenon known as "the spring that breathes."

Afton, Wyoming

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Stephen Frantz
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Intermittent Spring   Ninjatacoshell on Wikipedia
Intermittent Spring   Ninjatacoshell on Wikipedia
Intermittent Spring   Ninjatacoshell on Wikipedia
Intermittent Spring 6.11.17   mmwoodruff / Atlas Obscura User
Intermittent Spring 6.11.17   mmwoodruff / Atlas Obscura User
Intermittent Spring 6.11.17   mmwoodruff / Atlas Obscura User
  notoriousFIG / Atlas Obscura User
A very nice hike but be prepared for a bumpy drive   notoriousFIG / Atlas Obscura User
people are small   oliviastavely / Atlas Obscura User
Intermittent Spring 6.11.17   mmwoodruff / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Located at the foot of a mountain just outside of Afton, Wyoming, Intermittent Spring (otherwise known as the Periodic Spring), is one of only three springs of its kind in the world that start and stop every few minutes for a reason science can only speculate on.

A type of natural phenomenon known as a rhythmic spring, there are only three such features known in the entire world, and the Afton spring if thought to be the largest (another being the famed Gihon Spring in Jerusalem). The Afton spring was discovered randomly by a logger who happened upon the strange stream in the course of his work, and has been a natural attraction ever since. The water at the spring site is said to flow for 18 minutes straight, before stopping for another 18 minutes. There may be some variation in these times. 

Researchers have not pinned down exactly what causes the surprisingly regular ebb and flow of the spring, but they believe it has to do with a siphon effect that occurs underground. The theory is that a regular spring underground fills up a pipe-like cavity in the stone, creating a siphoning effect when it breaks the surface that rushes the rest of the water out of the "pipe," leaving it empty, and stopping the stream, until it refills and the process repeats. Oxygen found in the water has given credence to this theory. 

The Intermittent Spring is most active in late summer, so if you are looking for an interval during which to visit the spring, that would the one.

Related Tags

Geological Oddities Geology Natural Springs Natural Wonders Nature

Know Before You Go

http://www.starvalleywy.com/intermspg/index.htm. Follow the signs to the gravel road, drive 5 miles up. Hike a stunning 3/4 mile hike to the spring. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

Community Contributors

Added By

sfrantz

Edited By

oliviastavely, EricGrundhauser, notoriousFIG, mmwoodruff

  • oliviastavely
  • EricGrundhauser
  • notoriousFIG
  • mmwoodruff

Published

September 9, 2015

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  • http://www.starvalleywy.com/intermspg/index.htm
  • http://www.aftonwyoming.com/community-info/intermittent-spring/
  • http://www.americansouthwest.net/wyoming/periodic-spring/
  • https://www.wyomingtourism.org/things-to-do/detail/Periodic-Intermittent-Spring/8062
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermittent_Spring_(Wyoming)
Intermittent Spring
Afton, Wyoming, 83110
United States
42.74438, -110.8485

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