Sulphur Springs, Saint Lucia
Sulphur Springs | |
---|---|
Soufrière District, Saint Lucia | |
Coordinates | 13°50′17″N 61°02′46″W / 13.838°N 61.046°W |
Elevation | 241 m (791 ft) |
Sulphur Springs is a geothermal field on the island of Saint Lucia. It is located to the southwest in the district of Soufriere, a name given by the French meaning 'sulphur mine', because of the proximity of the town to the site.[1] It is the most popular tourist destination in Saint Lucia, with approximately 200,000 annual patrons to the park, and is known as 'the world's only drive-in volcano'. [2]
Mine
A sulphur mine was operated by Bennett and Wood from 1836 until 1840. Maximum production occurred in 1836, with 540 tons of sulphur exported.[3]
Activity
The Sulphur Springs emerged from a weak spot in the crust of the enormous collapsed crater creating an upheaval of lava approximately 300,00 years ago. The most recent volcanic eruption from the Sulphur Springs, recorded as a minor explosion, occurred in 1776.[4]
Springs
The water located at the center of the springs boils at roughly 212
Tourist attraction
The Sulphur Springs are a popular
A couple of hundred yards downstream from the springs, the water temperature is still hot (around 110 Fahrenheit or 45 Celsius), but cool enough for tourists to enter and give themselves a mud bath. These mud baths are believed by some to have medicinal properties[8] and are used by some tourists and locals for said reasons.
References
- ^ "Soufriere Brings The Heat". Saint Lucia Tourism Authority. 2021-02-02. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
- ^ "Soufriere Foundation - St. Lucia". soufrierefoundation.org. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
- ^ Devaux, Robert (1975). Saint Lucia Historic Sites. Saint Lucia National Trust. pp. 80–81.
- ^ "The University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre". uwiseismic.com. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
- ^ "14 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in St. Lucia | PlanetWare". www.planetware.com. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
- ^ "Sulphur Springs". Sulphur Springs. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- ^ "Virtual Tour". 360 Travel Guide.
- ^ "The Benefits of Mud Bath". Talk Spas.