From Hot Springs to Deep-seated Fluids: History of Hot Spring Studies from the Viewpoints of Energy and Material Circulations in the Solid Earth

The history of hot spring studies and research in Japan is reviewed mainly from the viewpoint Earth science. Studies on geochemistry waters started with geochemical analyses water 1830s. relationships between issuing mechanisms springs volcanism, active faults, earthquakes have been studied since around 1910. These reveal sources recycling paths dissolved materials Earth's crust upper mantle relation to plate tectonics subsequent volcanism. Microbiological living organisms, such as algae, bacteria, archaea, springs, began late 1880s, contributed documenting origins evolution life. Combined mineralogical studies, minor trace element an understanding formation ore deposits. triggered essential role its evolution.