Destruction and color at Mammoth Hot Springs

Mammoth Hot Springs is one of the largest thermal features in Yellowstone National Park. The limestone beneath the spring dissolves in the hot water and rises to the surface where it creates white terraces. Heat-loving microorganisms add color to the steaming water that flows over the terraces or collects in pools within them. The site consists of Upper and Lower terraces, and activity within any are can change from day to day.

AmericaAmerican westCanary SpringMammoth Hot SpringsMontanaNorth AmericaUSAUnited StatesUpper TerracesWyomingYellowstonebarrencalcium carbonatecrystallizeddeadeeriegeologygeothermalhothot springmineralmineralsnational parknaturalnatureno oneno peoplenobodypoolsteamsteamingsurrealterracethermalthermal featuretravertinetreesvolcanicwestwilderness