One of the many unnamed geothermal features in the Upper Geyser Basin featuring 1,350 features as of the 2019 inventory.
Moving outward from the center of thermal features, the first ring of color is yellow, thanks to cyanobacteria called Synechococcus. The temperature of this yellow band is about 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). In the orange band, which is a cooler 149 degrees F (65 degrees C), you'd find not only Synechococcus bacteria but also Chloroflexus bacteria, which also contain both chlorophyll, for photosynthesis, and the carrot-colored carotenoids. Two other bacteria that produce orange-colored mats, Phormidium and Oscillatoria. Farther from the center of the hot spring, the temperatures get lower and there is a greater diversity of microbes that can survive there. The outermost layer, at 131 degrees Fahrenheit (55 degrees Celsius), is a red-brown or burgundy color. Another carotenoid-carrying microbe also comes into play at this temperature: Deinococcus-Thermus Thermus creates bright red or orange streamers.
Size: 3505px × 2336px
Location: Yellowstone National Park
Photo credit: © Gary Schimelfenig / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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