Erupting geyser, Iceland
Date
1796
Creator
Francis Chesham (1749 - 1806, British) , Printmaker
Creator - Organisation
After
6th Baronet John Thomas Stanley (1735 - 1807, British) , Scientist
Object type
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (plate): 603mm
width (plate): 465mm
height (print): 846mm
width (print): 595mm
width (plate): 465mm
height (print): 846mm
width (print): 595mm
Subject
Description
Landscape view of erupting geysers, Iceland. An encampment on the mountainside to the left hand side as viewed and several onlookers observing the phenomenon. Three men measure the height of the column of water with a quadrant.
Inscribed 'From a Drawing made on the spot in 1789. F. Chesham sculpsit. VIEW of the GEYSER, a HOT SPRING in ICELAND. London, Published Decr 1796, by N. Pocock, Great George Street, Westminster, & W. Miller, Old Bond Street.'
Described ‘The Eruption of the Geyser as here represented, takes place nearly once every 2 hours, & lasts from 15 to 20 Minutes, but Eruptions which last only one or two Minutes, frequently happen while the Pipe or Well from whence it issues, is filling. The Column of Water, constantly 212, in heat, measures 8 1/2 feet diameter, & rises, as ascertained by a Quadrant, to heights of 90 or 100 feet. Stones of considerable weight thrown into the Well on purpose, were observed to reach still greater heights. The Pipe fills gradually as the hot water which has filtrated into cavities below it, is forced upwards by the Expansion of its steam, when this is too powerful to be resisted, Eruptions are occasioned by its escape, but whatever water is thrown into the Air falls back until the Pipe & Bason are filled, & then only the last & great Eruption may be expected, by which both are emptied. Shocks of the Ground & subterraneous noises always precede it. These are followed by violent ebullitions of the water, which as soon as a few waves have rolled over the Mound, bursts forth with violence, partly shivered into foam, & partly, where the column remains solid, reflecting the deepest blue, accompanied by volumes of steam & smoke. It falls in showers of spray, & in collecting, forms a Rivulet which at the distance of 3 or 400 yards joins a River, reduced to a temperature of 72 (degrees). In the back ground, is represented another spring, which is thrown up in a column of 6 feet diameter, but not so shivered into foam as the Great Geyser. See 3d. Vol. Phi. Trans. R.S. Edin.'
Inscribed 'From a Drawing made on the spot in 1789. F. Chesham sculpsit. VIEW of the GEYSER, a HOT SPRING in ICELAND. London, Published Decr 1796, by N. Pocock, Great George Street, Westminster, & W. Miller, Old Bond Street.'
Described ‘The Eruption of the Geyser as here represented, takes place nearly once every 2 hours, & lasts from 15 to 20 Minutes, but Eruptions which last only one or two Minutes, frequently happen while the Pipe or Well from whence it issues, is filling. The Column of Water, constantly 212, in heat, measures 8 1/2 feet diameter, & rises, as ascertained by a Quadrant, to heights of 90 or 100 feet. Stones of considerable weight thrown into the Well on purpose, were observed to reach still greater heights. The Pipe fills gradually as the hot water which has filtrated into cavities below it, is forced upwards by the Expansion of its steam, when this is too powerful to be resisted, Eruptions are occasioned by its escape, but whatever water is thrown into the Air falls back until the Pipe & Bason are filled, & then only the last & great Eruption may be expected, by which both are emptied. Shocks of the Ground & subterraneous noises always precede it. These are followed by violent ebullitions of the water, which as soon as a few waves have rolled over the Mound, bursts forth with violence, partly shivered into foam, & partly, where the column remains solid, reflecting the deepest blue, accompanied by volumes of steam & smoke. It falls in showers of spray, & in collecting, forms a Rivulet which at the distance of 3 or 400 yards joins a River, reduced to a temperature of 72 (degrees). In the back ground, is represented another spring, which is thrown up in a column of 6 feet diameter, but not so shivered into foam as the Great Geyser. See 3d. Vol. Phi. Trans. R.S. Edin.'
Associated place