It’s our hope that each of you, our readers, will enjoy and appreciate this article we present about these 3 Magical Marvels of Yellowstone. It was certainly our pleasure to gather the information for you. May it provide you with both education and increased awareness.
Certainly, these locations listed herein represent only a portion of the wonders found throughout this amazing region. It’s our belief, though, that they serve as excellent representations of the marvels found here. Check out some of our other articles, as well.
Old Faithful
Old Faithful Facts
- Leadinig off this article about these 3 Magical Marvels of Yellowstone we present the eruptive wonder known as Old Faithful.
- This magnificent creation of time and geological processes most commonly goes by the well-earned name for good reason. Yet it does have at least one, less used english language title. That’s the symbolic appellation of Guardian of the Valley.
- It’s clear that ancient Native Americans of the region long knew of its existence. Archaeological evidence indicates that various groups inhabited the immediate region as far back as 11,000 years ago. Their names for the site referred to its many features.
- Regardless of what term’s applied to it, this natural marvel stands out from all the rest. It also earned its name for wholly appropriate reasons. That’s due to the fact that, even today, it represents one of the most predictable such geological features on earth.
- Among non-indigenous people, an expedition led by American, Henry Washburn, first spotted the stunning site in 1870. The nature of the entire region baffled and amazed them. None of its features, though, did so more than this astounding geyser.
- They quickly dubbed it with the name Old Faithful, by which it’s now known by around the world. Thankfully, it lies within the boundaries of what’s today named the Yellowstone National Park. In fact, it represents the single most visited site in the Park.
Old Faithful Physical Description
The astonishing Old Faithful instantly captivates any individual fortunate enough to visit the site. It understandably does so mainly due to its nature. Yet, it also boasts other intriguing and impressive characteristics for those who take the time to notice.
Geysers come in two main categories. Those consist of types rightfully named fountain geysers and cone geysers. This iracle of natural forces represents an example of the latter. It, and others of its type around the world, propel their water from comparatively narrow jets.
Like others of its kind, it displays a roughly cone-shaped shape, as the term implies. The dimensions of the cone itself vary slightly, as minerals are deposited and wash away. At the top of this structure, though, lies the vent from which the superheated water erupts.
This aspect possesses an approximately rectangular shape. Its width averages about 2 ft (51 cm) across its extent. The length of this aperture, meanwhile, measures roughly 3.5 ft (1.07 m). Despite the incredible pressures and heat, this remains essentially unchanged.
The eruptions of Old Faithful vary in interval, though within a repeating range pattern. These activities also vary in duration, volume, and height. Each additionally lasts for a duration of between 1.5 – 5 minutes. An average eruptions reaches a height of 145 ft (44 m).
Old Faithful Location, Formation, and Activity
The remarkable feature of geology named Old Faithful formed in both a broad and specific region of the globe renowned for its abundance of similar marvels. That’s because this intriguing location formed in part of what’s now known as the continent of North America.
There, this masterpiece of Nature sits within the borders of the United States. Its more exact location places it in the immediate region of the northwestern part of the midwest region. That’s due to the fact that it sits inside the borders of the state of Wyoming.
Unfortunately, scientists do not know excatly when this stunning geyser first began to form. Researchers do know, however, that prior to around 15,000 years ago, the region was buried under glaciers. If it had been present before their formation, they would have erased it.
The amazing site, at least as we know it today, therefore obviously formed sometime after this geological era. The deposition of minerals that formed its cone takes millenia, though. This indicates that its creation likely began relatively shortly after the ice receded, at least.
During the time that recordings of the patterns of Old Faithful have been kept, the interval between eruptions has changed. That interval now measures much longer than it once did. Scientists believe this to be the direct result of many small earthquakes in the area.
These are also believed responsible for altering the levels of the subterranean water deposits which feed the geyser. Ironically, however, these actually made the geyser more predictable than before. The greater the duration of an eruption, the longer the next interval will be.
Intervals between eruptions nevertheless remain between 45-125 minutes and average 90 minutes today. The average once only measured 66.5 minutes. The volume of water ejected further ranges from between 3,700-8,400 US gallons, depending upon the duration.
Grand Prismatic Spring
Grand Prismatic Spring Facts
- Our next choice for inclusion in this compilation of 3 Magical Marvels of Yellowstone bears the well-deserved title of Grand Prismatic Spring.
- This gorgeous geological formation holds the understandably grandiose, though wholly deserved, name due to its unique nature. While another feature in its immediate area carries more fame, this marvel is actually the more photographed of the two.
- It’s also famous for its sheer size, as well as its beauty. That’s because it ranks as the third largest of all known hot springs on earth. Only the magnificent Boiling Lake, in Dominica, and Frying Pan Lake in Australia, surpass this site in terms of size.
- Evidence clearly indicates that the local Indigenous Peoples long knew of the existence of this magical structure. The first known sighting of it by a non-native explorer, however, took place in the year 1839. At that time, fur trappers noted its existence.
- Years later, two different expeditions explored the region. The first of these saw it in 1870, also noting another nearby feature. It was the Hayden Geological Survey, in 1871, however, that assigned it the name it now holds, due to its appearance.
- The Grand prismatic Spring forms part of what’s easily one of the best known locations in the world, Yellowstone National Park. Due to its location, and its own natural appeal, it now easily qualifies as one of the most visited tourist sites in the country.
Grand Prismatic Spring Physical Description
The kaleidoscopic majesty of the Grand Prismatic Spring isn’t the only physically impressive attribute of this magnificent work of natural forces. More specifically, that statement holds true due to its sheer physical measurements, as was mentioned previously.
The structure developed a natural shape that’s roughly spherical, though understandably not perfectly so. It’s precise diameter therefore varies, but averages approximately 370 ft (110 m). The extraordinary hot spring further measures roughly 160 ft (50 m) in depth.
Since it certainly qualifies as a hot spring, another aspect of the site is the temperature of the water. This has an impressive source. Due to heating from the magma chamber buried deep beneath the location, this averages about 160 F (70 C) throughout the entire year.
Also due to the great temperature of the water within the Grand Prismatic Spring, evaporation plays an ever present role in its condition. Given its surface area, in addition to that factor, this equates to an impressive average loss of 560 gallons (2,100 L) per minute.
Nature clearly loves balance, however. One might think that such numbers would quickly leave the spring dry. Yet that’s not the case. That’s because the source feeding the awesome spring provides an inflow rate that approximately matches the evaporation rate.
Grand Prismatic Spring Location, Nature, and Ecology
The multi-hued splendor that mankind now appropriately calls the Grand Prismatic Spring formed in a region of the globe already well known for its natural beauty. That’s due to the fact that it formed as part of what’s now known as the continent of North America.
More precisely still, however, the marvel lies in what now constitutes the country of the United States. There, it resides within the confines of Yellowstone National Park. This site, itself incredible, sits neatly in the corner of the states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.
The most recognizable feature of this formation obviously remains its bright, vibrant colors, though. These include shades of orange, yellow, red, green, and blue. These also serve as the origin of the name, since they’re the exact colors dispersed by an optical prism.
These hues themselves actually have an organic basis to them, in addition to a mineral one. That’s due to the amazing fact that enormous quantities of certain microbes that live in its waters. They only live around the edges though, leaving the sterile center blue.
This further alters in accordance with the seasons. During the winter season, these growths of bacteria, known as mats, display a predominantly dark green shade. In the summer season, however, this more commonly tends to be more red and orange in shading.
The Grand Prismatic Spring is a delicate balance of forces, though. Therefore, direct access to the site’s forbidden, including flying drones over it. Though roped off for safety, over the years a total of 20 people have died from falling into its waters, after ignoring warnings.
Yellowstone Lake
Yellowstone Lake Facts
- Closing out this gathering of 3 Magical Marvels of Yellowstone comes the wonder best known simply as Yellowstone Lake.
- This marvelous product of natural forces most frequently goes by the highly informative common name due to its location. It’s also known by a few other titles, though. These include such alternate terms as Eustis Lake, Sublette’s Lake, as well.
- Regardless of which of these monikers one chooses to use, the feature remains a marvel of Nature. It also stands out from similar works of geological actions in its immediate region. That’s because it’s the largest of all such lakes found in the area in which it lies
- Indigenous Peoples long knew of and made use of the site. In fact, archaeological evidence indicates their active presence near and around the gorgeous body of water as far back as 11,000 years ago! At least 26 tribes still claim association with it.
- The earliest known recorded sighting of it by a European explorer, however, only occured in 1836. At that time, trapper John Colter noted spotting it in his journal. It’s possible, though, that unrecorded sigtings by other trappers happened as early as 1820.
- Today, the stunning Yellowstone Lake forms one of the central components of the similarly-named Yellowstone National Park. Given the geography of that location, it also represents the largest freshwater body above 7,000 ft (2,100 m) on its continent.
- Today, the formation forms an extremely popular recreational site. This situation, of course, presents numerous complications for those who strive to maintain its natural state. The Park Service does its best in this regard, but visitors must do theirs, as well.
Yellowstone Lake Physical Description
The fabulous Yellowstone Lake quickly captivates and fascinates those fortunate enough to visit the body of water. Yet, unlike some similar features around the globe, it does not do so only due to its beauty, though it certainly possesses that attribute in great quantity.
That’s true since this large tarn boasts some relatively impressive dimensions. The marvel has a somewhat compressed rectangular shape to it. It holds a width approximately 70% that of its length. The actual physical boundaries vary significantly around its course, naturally.
In total, though, the lake measures roughly 20 mi (32 km) in average length. Its width, however, equals about 14 mi (22.5 km). The extent and irregular nature of its shoreline provide it with another remarkable statistic. It boasts a total of 141 mi (227 km) coastline.
All of these amazing statistics provide the eye-catching Yellowstone Lake with yet more attention-grabbing qualities. The beautiful pool has a surface area that averages 132 sq mi (342 sq km). That naturally varies due to various environmental conditions, though.
It’s also moderately deep for a lake of its type. The average measurement of this aspect equals roughly 139 ft (42 m). In places, however, the floor drops away precipitously. In some of these locations its waters reach depths of up to as much as 394 ft (120 m).
Yellowstone Lake Location, Geology, and Ecology
The remarkable Yellowstone Lake formed in a region of the globe already renowned for its abundance of natural marvels. The exact location of that area of the earth’s surface might still surprise a few people, though. It resides in a lovely part of what’s now North America.
More precisely, this geological masterpiece of time and forces formed within the confines of the United States. There, it sits in the approximate northeastern portion of the country. Nature created it in the northwest corner of the state of Wyoming, near the border.
The surface of this stunning lake remains placid and serence, yet what lurks beneath remains quite different. Its waters merely serve as a figurative mask for what lies beneath. That’s because the bottom of the formation boasts features similar to the rest of the region!
An incredible array of underwater hot springs, fumaroles, and even geysers dot the sections known as Mary bay, Sedge Bay, and West Thumb. Mary Bay additionally hosts multiple hollow silica chimneys. Meanwhile, Bridge Bay holds rock spires up to 20 ft (6.1 m) tall.
The impressive Yellowstone Lake also hosts a thriving ecosystem of its own. Several native species of fish appear in the formation. Cutthroat Trout represent the most abundant of these, with the local population presently being the largest known to exist in North America.
This marvel of Nature also plays a role of vital importance in the lives of other animals, as well, mainly mammals. Larger creatures present include bison, bighorn sheep, and elk. Yet smaller one’s such as the North American Beaver, otters, and weasels also abound.
3 Magical Geological Marvels of Yellowstone
We hope that each of you thoroughly enjoyed reading, and hopefully learning from, this article we’ve written about these 3 Magical Marvels of Yellowstone. It’s also our hope that doing so has left you with either a new or renewed appreciation for such wonders of Nature.
Unfortunately, many other such features around the world now find themselves facing threats to their continued existence in an undamaged state. Many of those dangers, in fact, stem from the actions of mankind. We must do all we can to protect and preserve them all.
Check out our other articles on 4 Gorgeous European Gorges, Wonderful Wild Cats of the World, 3 Amazing North American Amphibians, Earth’s Many Stunning Waterfalls