Wow, Yellowstone really knows how to blow off some steam! 💨
Yellowstone is home to over 10,000 hydrothermals and over half of the world's geysers. You have probably heard of this park's most famous geyser, Old Faithful, but there are over 500 geysers within the park's boundary.
In fact, there are five types of geothermal activity you can experience within Yellowstone:
🌋 Hot Springs: The heat-loving microorganisms in the waters create a kaleidoscope of hues, ranging from brilliant blues to fiery oranges, famously seen at Grand Prismatic Spring
🌋 Geysers: The geothermal activity beneath the surface heats groundwater to the boiling point, creating pressure that eventually forces water and steam through vents in the earth's crust
🌋 Mudpots: These unique attractions occur when acidic hot water dissolves surrounding rock into clay, creating a mud-like substance
🌋 Travertine terraces: These form as thermal water ascends through limestone, carrying dissolved limestone (calcium carbonate). Upon reaching the surface, carbon dioxide is released, leading to the deposition of calcium carbonate, which creates travertine, such as Mammoth Hot Springs!
🌋 Fumaroles: These are openings in the earth's crust that emit steam and gases, primarily water vapor and carbon dioxide. Fumaroles occur when underground water is heated by magma and then rises to the surface, creating steam vents
Which of these unique geothermal features do you want to experience on your next vacation to Yellowstone? ♨️
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