Yellowstone Thermal Features

Hydrothermal

Sounds boring doesn't it? But Old Faithful is a hydrothermal and Old Faithful is the most popular feature in the park.

There are 5 types of hydrothermals in Yellowstone:

- Geysers (Old Faithful)
- Hot springs
- Mudpots
- Fumaroles (Steam Vents)
- Travertine Terraces

Old Faithful is one of more than 500 geysers in Yellowstone. Old Faithful is popular because it blows 60 feet high and it is predictable (it shoots off every 75 minutes, give or take 10 minutes). We got lucky (or My Lovely is just really good) because we didn't have to wait at all. Old Faithful started her process 30 seconds after we arrived. It was nice, and I am glad I saw it, but I was wowed by so much more.

My Lovely liked Grand Prismatic hot spring and the Fumaroles (Steam Vents) the most (at least the most of the hyrdothermals). The steam vents are amazing. Loud like jet engines, massively strong, hot, relentless release of steam. She said it was powerful for her.

Grand Prismatic is an example of a hot spring (3rd largest of its type in the world) and is one of the 3 iconic features in Yellowstone. Vibrant and rich in color under blanket of steam rising above it. It is spectacular. Another of Amy's favs.

We saw a lot of hydrothermals. Which is another way of saying that I had seen more than I probably wanted. Yet, on our third day, our tired legs carried us out of the truck for one more. It was the "Upper and Lower Terraces" of Mammoth Hot Springs.

I was awed (and I really mean awed) by the Travertine Terraces.

Hot springs that rise through limestone, dissolve calcium carbonate, and deposit calcite.

What happens is that as the water rises up through the limestone, it picks up the calcium carbonate, and after the spring spills out, it redeposits the calcium carbonate on the surface in such beautiful ways. It is nature's artwork.

First, there are all the colors. If the area is dry (because the process has stopped, paused, or diverted), the calcium carbonate is snow white. Otherwise, wet areas are a variety of colors from pink, yellow, orange, brown, and black (as well as all the varieties in between).

Second, and what was so spectacular to me was the way the calcium carbonate was deposited.

The formations are called Terraces because the calcium forms these flat terraces. But the calcium builds up on the edges and makes shallow pools.

Third, as water drips over the edge, sometimes it forms crystal formations or drapery formations (both like you would see inside a cave).

Absolutely beautiful.

Yellowstone has many features, but it has more hydrothermal features than any other place on the Earth - actually more than half of all the hydrothermals on Earth.

And from THE NERD ZONE, I learned something new.

We all know that water boils at 212°. Once water reaches 212° it is now a gas (steam) and no longer water. Yet, geologists have measured water temperatures at over 400° at Yellowstone.

How is this possible. Increased atmospheric pressure (subterranean pressure).

Yes, I embrace my nerdom. My Lovely likes it too.

From Amy.....I loved that every time Pat thought he'd seen enough thermals, another one would wow him!
We were also pretty lucky with crowds and traffic. But, we got up early to get a head start. We also saw more wildlife this way.Read more