Canary Springs
The terraces at Canary Springs are perched on the edge of a hill. These terraces, composed of calcium carbonate (travertine), are part of Mammoth Hot Spring in Yellowstone National Park. Terraces that have active water flow are covered by orange, yellows and cream colored thermophilic organisms like cynobacteria and bacteria. The water for the hot springs comes from precipitation in the surrounding mountains that runs down into the subsurface. The water is heated at depth. As the water rises it dissolves limestone in the subsurface beneath Mammoth and the surrounding mountains. The hot carbonate rich water comes to the surface and forms the travertine terraces. Geologists estimate that at any given time about 10% of the water in Mammoth Hot Springs is on the surface. The other 90% remains underground.
Canary Springs
The terraces at Canary Springs are perched on the edge of a hill. These terraces, composed of calcium carbonate (travertine), are part of Mammoth Hot Spring in Yellowstone National Park. Terraces that have active water flow are covered by orange, yellows and cream colored thermophilic organisms like cynobacteria and bacteria. The water for the hot springs comes from precipitation in the surrounding mountains that runs down into the subsurface. The water is heated at depth. As the water rises it dissolves limestone in the subsurface beneath Mammoth and the surrounding mountains. The hot carbonate rich water comes to the surface and forms the travertine terraces. Geologists estimate that at any given time about 10% of the water in Mammoth Hot Springs is on the surface. The other 90% remains underground.