1 Geysers of the World. - 1. 1 Introduction. - 1. 2 The Geyser as a Geographic and Geologic Feature. - 1. 3 Geyser Studies. - 1. 4 Behavioral Characteristics of Some Geysers. - 2 The Geologic Thermal and Hydrologic State of the Earth. - 2. 1 Geologic Features of the Earth. - 2. 2 The Earth as a Source of Heat. - 2. 3 Transport and Distribution of Heat. - 2. 4 Storage of Heat. - 2. 5 Heat Efflux. - 3 Fundamentals of Geyser Operation. - 3. 1 Essential Elements of a Geyser. - 3. 2 Properties of Water and Steam. - 3. 3 Geysering from a Pool: Fountain or Pool Geysers. - 3. 4 Geysering from a Pipe: Columnar or Cone Geysers. - 3. 5 Complex Geyser Systems. - 4 The Role of Gases in Geysers. - 4. 1 Formation and Evolution of Gases. - 4. 2 Theory of Effects of Gases. - 4. 3 Gassy Geysers. - 5 Chemistry of Geothermal Waters. - 5. 1 Water Sources. - 5. 2 Composition of Geothermal Fluids. - 5. 3 Water Movements and Contacts: Geothermometry. - 5. 4 Solubility of Rocks; Rock Alteration by Thermal Waters. - 6 Geyser Area Complexes. - 6. 1 Fumaroles Mud Pots and Spouters. - 6. 2 Nonerupting Hot Springs; Boiling Springs. - 6. 3 Temperature Regimes within Geysers. - 6. 4 Interactions among Geysers. - 7 Environmental Aspects of Geysers. - 7. 1 General. - 7. 2 Mineral Deposition. - 7. 3 Plant and Animal Life. - 7. 4 Ground Noise and Seismicity. - 8 Temporal Changes in Geyser Activity and Their Causes. - 8. 1 General Nature of the Changes. - 8. 2 Bimodal Eruption Patterns. - 8. 3 Climatic Seasonal and Barometric Effects. - 8. 4 Earthquake Effects. - 8. 5 Earth Tidal Effects. - 9 Man's Influence on Geyser Activity. - 9. 1 Some Man-Made Geysers. - 9. 2 Changing the Activity of Geysers. - 10 Practical Uses of Geothermal Fluids. - 10. 1 Introduction. - 10. 2 Characteristics of Exploited Geothermal Areas. - 10. 3 Agricultural and Other Husbandry Uses. - 10. 4 Space Heating andCooling. - 10. 5 Industrial Processing. - 10. 6 Electric Power Production. - 10. 7 Economic and Environmental Aspects. - Geologic Time (Stratigraphie Column). - References. Language: English