Q 01/05

The English word 'geyser' comes from the name of one Icelandic hot spring and means what?

A) Gusher

B) Boiler

C) Steamer

D) Roarer

Answer · why

A) Gusher

The word entered English in the late 18th century, borrowed from Geysir, which first erupted in the 14th century.

Q 02/05

The Great Geysir, which gave its name to every geyser on Earth, is in which country?

A) New Zealand

B) Chile

C) Iceland

D) Russia

Answer · why

C) Iceland

It sits in the Haukadalur valley on the slopes of the Laugarfjall lava dome, about 50 metres from its livelier neighbour Strokkur.

Q 03/05

Roughly what share of the world's geysers are in Yellowstone National Park?

A) About half

B) About a tenth

C) About a quarter

D) Nearly all

Answer · why

A) About half

They are spread across nine geyser basins alongside thousands of hot springs.

Q 04/05

Yellowstone contains approximately how many geysers?

A) 50 to 100

B) 1,000 to 1,500

C) 300 to 500

D) 3,000 to 5,000

Answer · why

C) 300 to 500

Most of them are small, erupting to only a foot or two; the famous giants are the exception.

Q 05/05

What is the world's tallest active geyser?

A) Old Faithful

B) Giantess

C) Castle

D) Steamboat

Answer · why

D) Steamboat

Its major eruptions can throw water more than 300 feet into the air, though its timetable is erratic.