The Grand Prismatic Spring : Summer morning . . .
The is mage is included in 4 galleries:- 1) "Geology" curated by Ardan Dojan, 2) "Life on Earth" by Jeffrey Caldwell, 3) "PLACERES VISUALES-volumen 7" by byktor -f.d. and 4) "premio selecto de hacedor de imagenes" also by byktor -f.d.
Located in the Midway Geyser Basin, it is the largest hot spring in the United States, and the third largest in the world, after Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand and Boiling Lake in Dominica. Its colours match the rainbow dispersion of white light by an optical prism: red, orange, yellow, green, and blue. The spring is approximately 370 feet (110 m) in diameter and is 160 feet (50 m) deep. The spring discharges an estimated 560 US gallons (2,100 L) of 160 °F (70 °C) water per minute.
The vivid colours in the spring are the result of microbial mats around the edges of the mineral-rich water. The mats produce colours ranging from green to red; the amount of colour in the microbial mats depends on the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoids and on the temperature gradient in the runoff. In the summer, the mats tend to be orange and red, whereas in the winter the mats are usually dark green. The centre of the pool is sterile due to extreme heat. The deep blue colour of the water in the centre of the pool results from the scattering of blue light by particles suspended in the water. This effect is particularly visible in the centre of the spring due to the lack of archaea that live in the centre and to the depth of the water. The brilliant yellows and oranges are a result of the bacteria which grow in it. Each colour represents a different type of bacteria specialized to survive at a certain range of hot temperatures.
A new overlook trail and viewing point away from the carpark was recently (about 4 weeks prior to our visit) opened. Viewing was much better and semi-aerial shots were handily captured. It is interesting to note that the colours of steam over the spring varied from white to shades of blue and even yellowish and pinkish depending on the intensity of direct sunlight at the time.
Adjacent to it are the Excelsior Geyser and two small hot springs: Opal Pool and Turquoise Pool.
The Grand Prismatic Spring : Summer morning . . .
The is mage is included in 4 galleries:- 1) "Geology" curated by Ardan Dojan, 2) "Life on Earth" by Jeffrey Caldwell, 3) "PLACERES VISUALES-volumen 7" by byktor -f.d. and 4) "premio selecto de hacedor de imagenes" also by byktor -f.d.
Located in the Midway Geyser Basin, it is the largest hot spring in the United States, and the third largest in the world, after Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand and Boiling Lake in Dominica. Its colours match the rainbow dispersion of white light by an optical prism: red, orange, yellow, green, and blue. The spring is approximately 370 feet (110 m) in diameter and is 160 feet (50 m) deep. The spring discharges an estimated 560 US gallons (2,100 L) of 160 °F (70 °C) water per minute.
The vivid colours in the spring are the result of microbial mats around the edges of the mineral-rich water. The mats produce colours ranging from green to red; the amount of colour in the microbial mats depends on the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoids and on the temperature gradient in the runoff. In the summer, the mats tend to be orange and red, whereas in the winter the mats are usually dark green. The centre of the pool is sterile due to extreme heat. The deep blue colour of the water in the centre of the pool results from the scattering of blue light by particles suspended in the water. This effect is particularly visible in the centre of the spring due to the lack of archaea that live in the centre and to the depth of the water. The brilliant yellows and oranges are a result of the bacteria which grow in it. Each colour represents a different type of bacteria specialized to survive at a certain range of hot temperatures.
A new overlook trail and viewing point away from the carpark was recently (about 4 weeks prior to our visit) opened. Viewing was much better and semi-aerial shots were handily captured. It is interesting to note that the colours of steam over the spring varied from white to shades of blue and even yellowish and pinkish depending on the intensity of direct sunlight at the time.
Adjacent to it are the Excelsior Geyser and two small hot springs: Opal Pool and Turquoise Pool.