Calcium Steps at Mammoth Hot Springs

Worth a look on black if you have the time View On Black

 

A view of the natural steps on the lower terraces of the Mammoth Hot springs

 

The Mammoth Hot Spring is a large complex of hot springs on a hill of travertine in Park. Over thousands of years as hot water from the spring cooled and deposited calcium carbonate (over two tons flow into Mammoth each day in a solution). Although these springs lie outside the caldera boundary, their energy has been attributed to the same magmatic system that fuels other Yellowstone geothermal areas. The hot water that feeds Mammoth comes from Norris Geyser Basin after travelling underground via a fault line that runs through limestone. The limestone from rock formations along the fault is the source of the calcium carbonate. Shallow circulation along this corridor allows Norris' superheated water to slightly cool before surfacing at Mammoth, generally at about 170 °F (80 °C).

 

THANKS FOR YOUR VISIT HAVE A GREAT DAY

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