Yellowstone National Park is located in Wyoming, USA, and is one of the most geothermally active regions on the planet. Spanning across 9,000 square kilometers, the park contains 10,000 geysers, hot springs, and mud pots. Yellowstone itself is a massive super volcano that has erupted several times with tremendous force over the past two million years. Much of the land formation of Yellowstone is covered with old lava flows and rocks from past eruptions.The park is the centerpiece of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, which is the largest remaining ecosystems in the northern temperate zone.
Shown below are some of the most famous and beautiful hot springs and geysers in Yellowstone National Park, with short descriptions.
1. Sapphire Pool
Sapphire Pool located in Biscuit Basin of Yellowstone. Biscuit Basin is an isolated thermal group, and is actually part of the Upper Geyser Basin.
2. Opal Pool
Named for its resemblance to a green-tinted version of the gemstone, Opal Pool can be found in the Midway Geyser Basin area. Although it’s usually quite active as a hot spring, it’s designated as a fountain-type geyser.
3. Morning Glory Pool
Morning Glory Pool can be found in the Upper Geyser Basin area. It was named in the 1800s by the wife of a park official.
4. Lion Geyser
Lion Geyser, located in the Upper Geyser Basin area, was named for the roaring sound it makes when it erupts. Eruptions can reach up to 90 feet, and can last between 1 and 7 minutes.
5. Grand Prismatic Spring
The Grand Prismatic Spring is not only the largest hot spring in Yellowstone National Park, it’s also the largest in the country, and the third largest in the world. This enormous and beautiful spring is located in the Midway Geyser Basin area.
6. Emerald Spring
Emerald Spring can be found in the Norris Geyser Basin area of Yellowstone, getting its name from the light blue water reflecting off the yellow sulphur, which creates the greenish tint.
7. Crested Pool
Located in the Upper Geyser Basin, Crested Pool has a depth of 42 feet, and although it is considered a spring, it can erupt like a geyser.
8. Chromatic Spring
Chromatic Spring is located in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone, and is connected to the nearby hot spring known as Beauty Pool. Periodic energy shifts will cause one spring to rise and overflow, and the other to sink.
A few more up close and personal:
Hopefully, and now that you’ve viewed these images, you’re going to book that vacation to Yellowstone National Park you’ve been talking about for years.