Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces |Plumbing of Regular Hot Springs |The Colors
Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
Hot springs and
pools are common throughout Yellowstone. The best known is Mammoth Hot
Springs. Hot water dissolves calcium carbonate from limestone formations, so
that when it reaches the surface the carbon dioxide is released and the calcium
carbonate precipitates or turns to a solid. The result is a travertine or a
mineral made of layers of calcium carbonate, which is deposited in beautiful and
delicate terraces. Over 2 tons of calcium carbonate flows into Mammoth each day
in a solution! Research shows that water at Mammoth Hot Springs originates in
the Norris Geyser Basin and travels just
over 32 kilometers before it flows out.
Move Over to see map to show
the distance between Mammoth and Norris.
The most famous feature at the
springs is the Minerva Terrace, a series of travertine terraces. The terraces
have been deposited by the spring over many years, but due to recent minor
earthquake activity, the springs outlet has shifted, rendering the terraces dry.
Move Over to see Palette Springs at Mammoth.
(Source: Sarah Walinga)
Move Over to see Canary Springs at Mammoth. (Source: Sarah Walinga)
Plumbing of Regular Hot Springs
[Back to Top]
 |
Not all hot springs form travertines; many are clear,
beautiful and deep. The intense blue color sometimes occurs in hot springs
because when the sunlight passes through the deep waters the light
scatters. Since blue has the shortest wavelength in the visible light
spectrum it scatters the most, thus it is the color that we see. Hot springs are closely related to geysers except they do not have a constriction in their plumbing. The hot water rises past the cool water creating a pool at the surface. It is a continuous circulation of hot and cool water. What separates hot springs and pools from fumaroles is the water supply; in a spring it is constant. Picture drawn by Sarah Walinga |
The Colors
[Back to Top]
Hot springs display many different, stunning colors, including
red, orange, yellow and green. But where do these colors come from? The answer:
they are heat loving bacteria and algae. This "thermophilic" life
adapts to hot water, sometimes even boiling water. Bacteria can be found in the
hottest waters, usually closer to the vents, while algae takes to the
cooler water on the edges of pools.
In hot springs, if the water is at about 75ºC, the algae
will usually be yellow. In cooler water those same algae might look orange, red,
brown, or even green. Sulfur, iron and other minerals also add color to the pools of
hot water.