VOLUME XXX NUMBER 6 



THE 



JOURNAL OF GEOLOGY 



September-October ig22 



THE HOT WATER SUPPLY OF THE HOT 

 SPRINGS, ARKANSAS^ " 



KIRK BRYAN 

 U.S. Geological Survey, Washington, D.C. 



CONTENTS 



Introduction 



Acknowledgments 



Character oe the Hot Waters 



Geologic Setting of the Hot Springs 



Geology of the Springs Area 



Relation of the Springs to the Western Body of Sandstone 



Theories of Origin of the Hot Water 



Juvenile vs. Meteoric Water 



Analysis of the Merits of the Hypotheses 



Use and Development of the Hot Springs Water 



INTRODUCTION 



An investigation of the geology of the hot springs in the Hot 

 Springs National Park was recently undertaken for the purpose of 

 determining whether the supply of hot water can be increased. 

 Some new facts were obtained, earlier work critically examined, 

 and recommendations made. The problem is intimately related 

 to the ultimate origin of the water. Thus an investigation begun 

 solely for economic reasons led to a consideration of one of the most 



' Published by permission of the Director of the United States Geological Survey. 



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