A cone geyser in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park, Castle Geyser is noted for the particularly large geyserite sinter deposits,
Castle Geyser is exhibiting one of the most massive geyserite cones worldwide. It is about 12 feet tall, 120 feet in circumference at the base, and 20 feet in diameter on top. The three foot wide orifice has the same diameter as the one of Old Faithful Geyser. Radiometric dating of the cone revealed an age of approximately 1,000 years, far younger than assumed before, while the surrounding sinter shield turned out to be around 10,000 years old. The early explorers of Yellowstone were not only impressed by Castle's size, but also by the exquisite globular ornamentation all around the cone. Until 1880 visitors chipped off most of the geyserite nodules, leaving behind the plain surfaces we see today.
Size: 3504px × 2336px
Location: Upper Geyser Basin, Castle Group, Yellowstone National Park, Montana, United States
Photo credit: © Gary Schimelfenig / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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