Yellowstone has many hydrothermal active sites. Most are located on the edges of the caldera, or basin of an ancient supervolcano. Deep in the earth, that supervolcano still produces the heat required to keep these sites active.
Norris Geyser Basin is Yellowstone's hottest and most dynamic geyser basin. It is the home of Steamboat Geyser, the world's tallest geyser with eruptions of 300-400 feet. However it's eruptions are infrequent & unpredictable (we did not witness one). This area contains acidic pools whose run-off water prevents plants, etc. from growing. However, the pools are alive with thermophylic bacteria. The air here smells of steam and sulphur.
Upper Geyser Basin includes the field where Old Faithful resides.
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Midway Geyser Basin is home to Grand Prismatic Spring, one of the world's largest hot springs. Also here is Excelsior Geyser, a large geyser which no longer erupts, but continues to spill thousands of gallons of hot water daily into the Firehole River.
Lower Geyser Basin has some distinct geyser cones, built as the hot, mineral containing water spills over the edges. In this area one can also see "bobby socks trees" distinguished by the white mineral deposits at the base of the trees trying to grow in the geyser basin.
All these areas are accessible by car, with boardwalks leading to named features. The ground is unstable; steam and water features are dangerously hot. Warnings are posted reminding visitors to stay on the walkways!
Norris Geyser Basin is Yellowstone's hottest and most dynamic geyser basin. It is the home of Steamboat Geyser, the world's tallest geyser with eruptions of 300-400 feet. However it's eruptions are infrequent & unpredictable (we did not witness one). This area contains acidic pools whose run-off water prevents plants, etc. from growing. However, the pools are alive with thermophylic bacteria. The air here smells of steam and sulphur.
Upper Geyser Basin includes the field where Old Faithful resides.
.
Midway Geyser Basin is home to Grand Prismatic Spring, one of the world's largest hot springs. Also here is Excelsior Geyser, a large geyser which no longer erupts, but continues to spill thousands of gallons of hot water daily into the Firehole River.
Lower Geyser Basin has some distinct geyser cones, built as the hot, mineral containing water spills over the edges. In this area one can also see "bobby socks trees" distinguished by the white mineral deposits at the base of the trees trying to grow in the geyser basin.
All these areas are accessible by car, with boardwalks leading to named features. The ground is unstable; steam and water features are dangerously hot. Warnings are posted reminding visitors to stay on the walkways!
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