Grassy Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs Upper Terrace Loop Road in Yellowstone National Park USA

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Heat, water, limestone, and rock fracture combine to create the terraces of the Mammoth Hot Springs area of Yellowstone National Park. The main mineral deposited is travertine, usually a white rock; however the microorganisms and living bacteria create beautiful shades of oranges, pinks, yellows, greens, and browns. The Mammoth Hot springs are constantly changing. As formations grow, water is forced to flow in different directions. The constant changes in water and mineral deposits create a living sculpture. Mammoth Hot Springs is divided into two sections, the Lower Terraces, and the Upper Terrace Loop. Bacteria and algae create the streaks of color on Orange Spring Mound in Upper terrace Loop Road. It is noticeably different from many of the other terrace formations nearby. Its large mounded shape is the result of very slow water flow and mineral deposition.

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Size: 3840px × 5760px
Location: Mammoth Terrace, Yellowstone National Park, Montana, USA
Photo credit: © Niall Ferguson / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

Keywords: geology, geothermal, grassy, hot, loop, mammoth, road, spring, springs, terrace, upper, usa, vacation, yellowstone