Where In The World Is ... Fly Geyser?

Somewhere in the world, you can visit a place where a multicolored cone rises from the desert floor, continuously spouting steaming water high into the air like a natural fountain that never stops flowing.

This otherworldly formation displays brilliant reds, greens and golds across its terraced surface. Mineral-rich water cascades down its sides, creating shallow pools around its base. The unusual sight has fascinated locals for decades, with many considering it one of the desert's most peculiar and beautiful natural features.

Can you guess where in the world it is?

One of the most fascinating aspects of Fly Geyser, as it's known, is how it operates continuously, shooting hot water up to 6 feet into the air throughout the day and night. The vibrant colors that make it so visually striking come from heat-loving algae that thrive in the warm, mineral-laden water. The constant flow has built up impressive terraced formations that glisten in the desert sun.

This eye-catching formation was actually created by accident in 1964, when a geothermal test well wasn't properly sealed. This allowed superheated water to escape and deposit minerals over the decades. The calcium carbonate and other dissolved minerals have gradually built up the colorful cone we see today, with new layers added each year as the water continues to flow.

Located on private ranch land in Nevada's Black Rock Desert, Fly Geyser has become one of the American West's most photographed geological features, though visiting requires special permission due to its location on private property.

What makes this formation particularly interesting is that it's still actively growing — unlike most natural landmarks that formed over millennia, visitors can witness this colorful structure becoming taller and more elaborate each year, making it a rare example of geology in action.

Would you like to visit Fly Geyser? Let us know in the comments!

Senior writer Chris DeWeese edits Morning Brief, The Weather Channel’s newsletter.