What is the typical temperature range for hot springs compared to local air temperature?

Hot springs typically exhibit temperatures that are significantly higher than the surrounding air temperature due to geothermal heat originating from volcanic or tectonic activity beneath the Earth's surface. The correct temperature range of 6 to 9 °C warmer compared to local air temperature is common because many hot springs are heated by geothermal systems that can elevate the water temperature to a range that is distinctly higher than most ambient conditions.

The temperature of hot springs varies based on various factors, such as the geothermal gradient and specific geological conditions of the area, but the 6 to 9 °C difference effectively characterizes the thermal behavior of many hot springs worldwide. This significant temperature differential makes hot springs a unique environment that supports a variety of thermal-adapted organisms and influences local ecology.

The other ranges do not accurately reflect the typical thermal characteristics of hot springs when compared to the surrounding air. Options suggesting a narrower temperature difference do not account for the substantial geothermal effects that create the warm water environment commonly observed in these natural features.