~YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK~
~The Geothermal Wonders~

Yellowstone National Park is a treasure that inspires awe in travelers from around the world. New Zealand and Iceland are known for geysers, but nowhere are there as many as in Yellowstone. At the heart of Yellowstone's past, present, and future lies volcanism. About 2 million years ago, then 1.3 million years ago, and again 640,000 years ago huge volcanic eruptions occurred here. The latest spewed out nearly 240 cubic miles of debris. The park's present central portion collapsed, forming a 30- by 45-mile caldera, or basin. The magmatic heat powering those eruptions still powers the park's geysers, hot springs, fumeroles, and mud pots. (Source: USNPS)
If not for the constant release of geothermal pressures through these vents, there could be another eruption, which would make Mount St. Helens seem like a blip on the radar. The sequence of the major eruptions seems to point to a major eruption every 660,000 to 700,000 years. I don't think anyone reading this will be around for the next one. I hope you enjoy these photos. Once again I say that the photos don't show all that is to be seen. I recommend you see for yourself.

Me at Old Faithful

This is Emerald Springs, one of the more beautiful of those in Mammoth Hot Springs	The color comes from a mix of the reflected blue of the water and the yellow sulfur deposits
Bath tub springs	Part of the lower terrace the springs
The upper terrace	Another part of the upper terrace
Some dormant formations	Orange Spring
more of the lower terrace	Another part of the lower terrace

A deep spring called Prospect Spring	The gnarled pines are up to 500 years old
This is the Steamboat Geyser	Steamboat spitting
Steamboat Geyser is the largest in the world. I erupts irregularly with four or five days to years between eruptions. While I was there it was gurgling and spitting, and I kept hoping. But all I got was the photo on the right which shows the water spewing outward on the left of the steam column.
The Norris Geyser Basin	A distant geyser
Eruptions were all around	A distant major eruption

Because of it's regularity Old Faithful Geyser is the best known in the world. It's eruptions take place from 40 to 126 minutes apart. Wouldn't you know I got the two hour wait. But it was worth it. The first photo is of the eruption just ending as I arrived. The following photos are of the eruption as I viewed it.
Going back to sleep	Waking up
There she blows!	Gathering momentum
Going up	Full throttle
Max power	Winding down

Music is "Dolphin Dance"

I Am A Member Of:

The Phenomenal Men Of The Web

Sign My Guestbook View My Guestbook
Back to Wyoming
Back to State Trek
Back Home