El Tatio — CIRCA 1983

The Photography of Owen Perry

Up-close, the primordial textures of the geysers reveal themselves

Up-close, the primordial textures of the geysers reveal themselves

Intricate structures are formed when the superheated steam evaporates, leaving residual minerals like salt and calcium

Intricate structures are formed when the superheated steam evaporates, leaving residual minerals like salt and calcium

Billions of year ago, life on earth likely began in an environment like this

Billions of year ago, life on earth likely began in an environment like this

THERE ARE OVER 80 ACTIVE GEYSERS AT EL TATIO, MAKING IT THE LARGEST GEYSER FIELD IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE AND THIRD LARGEST IN THE WORLD

THERE ARE OVER 80 ACTIVE GEYSERS AT EL TATIO, MAKING IT THE LARGEST GEYSER FIELD IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE AND THIRD LARGEST IN THE WORLD