Rabbitkettle Hot Springs | |
---|---|
Name origin | Dene |
Location | Nahanni National Park Reserve, Northwest Territories |
Coordinates | 61°56′N 127°10′W / 61.933°N 127.167°W[1] |
Type | hot spring |
Temperature | 21 °C (70 °F)[2] |
Rabbitkettle Hot Springs is a naturally occurring hot spring located in the Northwest Territories of Canada.[1] The springs are found in the Nahanni National Park Reserve, along the South Nahanni River.[2] Rabbitkettle Hot Springs are situated on a limestone plateau and comprise two large travertine mounds.[3] At 20 metres (66 ft) high and 70 m (230 ft) in diameter, the free-standing North Mound is the largest travertine mound in Canada.[2][4] The South Mound has grown into a nearby hillside and is not as tall.[3] They are the only tufa mounds in the world known to be located on permafrost.[5] The mounds are multi-colored and tiered.[6]
The name Rabbitkettle comes from the Dene word gahnhthah, meaning "kettle".[7] The translation was adopted by English-speaking locals as "Rabbitkettle", from the peculiar shapes of the basins in the area.[8] The springs were considered a sacred place to the Dene, who left offerings such as tobacco to ensure good fortune.[7]
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