YELLOWSTONE
Yellowstone National Park, located in the Rocky Mountains along the Continental Divide, is a geological wonderland with colors and spectacles that will dazzle you; it’s easy to understand why it was designated the first national park with its towering mountains and biodiversity that encompass the beauty and majesty of our great country. Nowhere in the world can you find the abundance of thermal features that are everywhere in Yellowstone and the waterfalls are as powerful and plentiful as any destination known for rushing water.
The present Yellowstone caldera was formed by three massive volcanic eruptions over the past 2.1 million years. The first eruption produced over 600 cubic miles of rock and ash and created the Yellowstone Caldera and the two subsequent eruptions added to this to form an oblong crater measuring about 70 miles by 45 miles. Continuing volcanic activity filled in parts of the caldera, giving Yellowstone its current day topography. When the spring thaw comes, water rushes from the many peaks towards the Pacific or Mississippi, depending upon which side of the continental divide the river flows. Some rivers, such as the Madison, actually run west before they eventually drain to the east.
The uniqueness of the geysers and pools can overshadow the magnificent waterfalls, but the extreme jagged landscape and over 150 inches of
melting snowfall create close to 300 waterfalls and cascades throughout the 2.2 million acres of Yellowstone. There are ten major falls and cascades along the Grand Loop Road, eight of which are within the heart of the park and most can be viewed from overlooks close to the parking lot.
The volcanic activity that formed Yellowstone is still active and remains close to the surface causing geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and
mudpots. Just as interesting as the geology that causes the thermal activity are the microbes that thrive in these extreme environments. The thermophiles or extremophiles are comprised of bacteria, algae, fungi, viruses, protozoa, and archaea and it is these microorganisms that cause the vivid colors of the various thermal features.
Hot Springs are formed in areas where the underground water is heated and rises to the surface unimpeded, where it is cooled and the system remains stable.
Geysers are caused by a constriction in the water pathway that prevents the hot water from releasing heat. Cooler water gathers over the boiling
water and results in a buildup of steam and water pressure. When the steam pressure reaches a critical point, it breaks through the cooler water and the system expels the steam and water in a violent eruption.
Mudpots are thermal features that are acidic with little water supply. Those that have microorganisms that convert hydrogen sulfide into
sulfuric acid have a suffocating noxious odor that can be dangerous. As the gases escape through the wet mud, it bubbles and looks like it’s
boiling. Although the temperature is not that hot, the acid will burn you worse than boiling water. A picture could not possibly capture the totality of this feature.
Fumaroles are waterless vent systems that extend down to the hot rock. When water seeps into the system, it creates steam.
Yellowstone National Park, located in the Rocky Mountains along the Continental Divide, is a geological wonderland with colors and spectacles that will dazzle you; it’s easy to understand why it was designated the first national park with its towering mountains and biodiversity that encompass the beauty and majesty of our great country. Nowhere in the world can you find the abundance of thermal features that are everywhere in Yellowstone and the waterfalls are as powerful and plentiful as any destination known for rushing water.
The present Yellowstone caldera was formed by three massive volcanic eruptions over the past 2.1 million years. The first eruption produced over 600 cubic miles of rock and ash and created the Yellowstone Caldera and the two subsequent eruptions added to this to form an oblong crater measuring about 70 miles by 45 miles. Continuing volcanic activity filled in parts of the caldera, giving Yellowstone its current day topography. When the spring thaw comes, water rushes from the many peaks towards the Pacific or Mississippi, depending upon which side of the continental divide the river flows. Some rivers, such as the Madison, actually run west before they eventually drain to the east.
The uniqueness of the geysers and pools can overshadow the magnificent waterfalls, but the extreme jagged landscape and over 150 inches of
melting snowfall create close to 300 waterfalls and cascades throughout the 2.2 million acres of Yellowstone. There are ten major falls and cascades along the Grand Loop Road, eight of which are within the heart of the park and most can be viewed from overlooks close to the parking lot.
The volcanic activity that formed Yellowstone is still active and remains close to the surface causing geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and
mudpots. Just as interesting as the geology that causes the thermal activity are the microbes that thrive in these extreme environments. The thermophiles or extremophiles are comprised of bacteria, algae, fungi, viruses, protozoa, and archaea and it is these microorganisms that cause the vivid colors of the various thermal features.
Hot Springs are formed in areas where the underground water is heated and rises to the surface unimpeded, where it is cooled and the system remains stable.
Geysers are caused by a constriction in the water pathway that prevents the hot water from releasing heat. Cooler water gathers over the boiling
water and results in a buildup of steam and water pressure. When the steam pressure reaches a critical point, it breaks through the cooler water and the system expels the steam and water in a violent eruption.
Mudpots are thermal features that are acidic with little water supply. Those that have microorganisms that convert hydrogen sulfide into
sulfuric acid have a suffocating noxious odor that can be dangerous. As the gases escape through the wet mud, it bubbles and looks like it’s
boiling. Although the temperature is not that hot, the acid will burn you worse than boiling water. A picture could not possibly capture the totality of this feature.
Fumaroles are waterless vent systems that extend down to the hot rock. When water seeps into the system, it creates steam.
