Morning Glory Pool

Vibrant colors of Morning Glory Pool in Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. From NPS: Morning Glory Pool was named in the 1880s for its remarkable likeness to its namesake flower. However, this beautiful pool has fallen victim to vandalism. People have thrown literally tons of coins, trash, rocks, and logs into the pool. Much of the debris subsequently became embedded in the sides and vent of the spring, affecting water circulation and accelerating the loss of thermal energy. Through the years Morning Glory's appearance has changed as its temperature dropped. Orange and yellow bacteria that formerly colored only the periphery of the spring now spread toward its center.

Pump Geyser

Thermophilic microorganisms in hot spring runoff channel from Pump Geyser on Geyser Hill in Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. From NPS: Many of the bright colors found in Yellowstone’s hydrothermal basins come from “thermophiles” — microorganisms that thrive in hot temperatures. So many individual microorganisms are grouped together—trillions!—that they appear as masses of color.

Riverside Geyser

Steam plume from an eruption at Riverside Geyser along the Firehole River in Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. From NPS: Situated on the bank of the Firehole River, Riverside Geyser is one of the most picturesque geysers in the park. During its 20-minute eruptions, a 75 foot (23m) column of water arches gracefully over the river. Eruptions are about 5-1/2 to 6-1/2 hours apart. There is water runoff over the edge of Riverside's cone for an hour or two before each eruption. Many geysers have similar "indications" that they are about to erupt.

Crested Pool

Crested Pool in Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. From NPS: Crested pool is 42 feet deep and is constantly super-heated. At times the temperature drops to a mere simmer but it occasionally comes to a full rolling boil as well. When boiling violently the water may dome to heights of 8 - 10 feet.

Pronghorn

Pronghorn, Antilocapra americana. Documented on Blacktail Plateau Drive in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

American Bison

Bison, or Buffalo, also known as American Bison or American Buffalo. Documented in Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. Near threatened Globally (Source: IUCN Red List)

American Bison

Bison, or Buffalo, also known as American Bison or American Buffalo. Documented in Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. Near threatened Globally (Source: IUCN Red List)

Grand Prismatic Spring

Tourists viewing Grand Prismatic Spring along the boardwalk at Midway Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

Grand Prismatic Spring

Grand Prismatic Spring at Midway Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. From NPS: Grand Prismatic Spring has the distinction of being the park’s largest hot spring. It measures approximately 370 feet (112.8 m) in diameter and is over 121 feet (37 m) deep. A description of this spring by fur trapper Osborne Russell in 1839 also makes it the earliest described thermal feature in Yellowstone that is definitely identifiable.

Grand Prismatic Spring

Grand Prismatic Spring at Midway Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. From NPS: Grand Prismatic Spring has the distinction of being the park’s largest hot spring. It measures approximately 370 feet (112.8 m) in diameter and is over 121 feet (37 m) deep. A description of this spring by fur trapper Osborne Russell in 1839 also makes it the earliest described thermal feature in Yellowstone that is definitely identifiable.

Grand Prismatic Spring

Grand Prismatic Spring at Midway Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. From NPS: Grand Prismatic Spring has the distinction of being the park’s largest hot spring. It measures approximately 370 feet (112.8 m) in diameter and is over 121 feet (37 m) deep. A description of this spring by fur trapper Osborne Russell in 1839 also makes it the earliest described thermal feature in Yellowstone that is definitely identifiable.

Midway Geyser Basin

Midway Geyser Basin wooden boardwalk across the colorful geyser runoff water channels filled with thermophiles at Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. From NPS: Many of the bright colors found in Yellowstone’s hydrothermal basins come from “thermophiles” — microorganisms that thrive in hot temperatures. So many individual microorganisms are grouped together—trillions!—that they appear as masses of color.

Midway Geyser Basin

Geothermal landscape of Midway Geyser Basin at Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

Midway Geyser Basin

Geothermal landscape of Midway Geyser Basin at Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

Excelsior Geyser Crater

Excelsior Geyser Crater at Midway Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. From NPS: Excelsior Geyser reveals a gaping crater 200 x 300 feet with a constant discharge of more than 4,000 gallons of water per minute into the Firehole River.

Excelsior Geyser

Colorful thermophilic microorganisms in hot spring runoff channels from Excelsior Geyser entering the Firehole River at Midway Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

Grotto Geyser

Grotto Geyser erupting in Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. From NPS: Grotto Geyser erupts about every eight hours. It splashes to a height of 10 feet (3m) for 1 1/2 to more than 10 hours. The weirdly shaped cone, that gives this geyser its name, may have resulted from geyserite covering the trunks of trees that once grew there.

Grotto Geyser

Grotto Geyser erupting in Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. From NPS: Grotto Geyser erupts about every eight hours. It splashes to a height of 10 feet (3m) for 1 1/2 to more than 10 hours. The weirdly shaped cone, that gives this geyser its name, may have resulted from geyserite covering the trunks of trees that once grew there.

Grotto Geyser

Grotto Geyser erupting in Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. From NPS: Grotto Geyser erupts about every eight hours. It splashes to a height of 10 feet (3m) for 1 1/2 to more than 10 hours. The weirdly shaped cone, that gives this geyser its name, may have resulted from geyserite covering the trunks of trees that once grew there.

Grotto Geyser

Tourists walking on the wooden boardwalk passed Grotto Geyser during an eruption in Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

Giant Geyser

Giant Geyser thermal vent in Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. From NPS: Giant Geyser was dormant for many years after the energy shift in 1955. Since then, it has slowly become active again. During 1997, its eruptions occurred every 3 - 10 days. This spectacular geyser's eruptions last about an hour and can reach heights of 180 - 250 feet (55 - 76m). During eruptions small geysers nearby may also erupt.

Biscuit Basin

Tourists viewing geyser pool at Biscuit Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

Beryl Spring

Beryl Spring in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. The spring gets its name from the blue-green color of the water.

Gibbon Falls

White water of Gibbon River at Gibbon Falls, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA