Yellowstone, Part 1: Geothermal Features

My favorite parts of Yellowstone were almost all geothermal features. Because the park is located over an underground active volcano, there are numerous geysers, hot springs, boiling mud pits, and other formations created by underground pressure and heat. The geysers and hot springs tend to be stunning, varying between saturated cerulean color in their centers due to suspended silica particles, to deep rust, orange, yellows, and reds at the edges and in runoff where thermophiles (organisms that live in extreme heat) flourish. Other types of geysers called cone-type geysers are projected above the ground rather than sunken, giving the appearance of small, white volcanos. With an endless variety of forms, the geysers and springs were captivating.

Spring at Black Sand Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Spring at Black Sand Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Thermophiles at Black Sand Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Thermophiles at Black Sand Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Grand Prismatic Spring, Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Grand Prismatic Spring, Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Hot spring in Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Hot spring in Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Me in front of hot springs at Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Me in front of hot springs at Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Spouter Geyser in Black Sand Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Spouter Geyser in Black Sand Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Hot Spring at Biscuit Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Hot Spring at Biscuit Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Turquoise Pool, Biscuit Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Turquoise Pool, Biscuit Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Spring at Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Spring at Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Spring and thermophiles at Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Spring and thermophiles at Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Hot spring at Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Hot spring at Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

White Dome Geyser (a cone-shaped geyser), Yellowstone National Park, WY

White Dome Geyser (a cone-shaped geyser), Yellowstone National Park, WY

Hot spring at Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Hot spring at Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Hot spring at Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Hot spring at Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Minerva Terrace, Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Minerva Terrace, Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Minerva Terrace, Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Minerva Terrace, Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Jupiter Terrace, Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Jupiter Terrace, Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Mound Terrace, Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Mound Terrace, Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Mound Terrace, Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Mound Terrace, Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Category : hiking, rocks & geology, Wyoming
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