Global Gallery

Firewater

In the geyser basin of western Yellowstone National Park, lie a number of vibrantly colored pools of superheated water. These colors are the result of themophilic (heat-loving) cyanobacteria and algae. Pool temperatures near the center average around 160 degrees Fahrenheit. As the temperature of the pool decreases towards its edges, the highly colorful cyanobacteria mats change to orange and yellow. This image of the Grand Prismatic Spring (the largest hot spring in Yellowstone) was acquired using an airborne digital multispectral camera (blue, red, NIR) operated by the Kansas Applied Remote Sensing program on July 20, 2001. The pool is approximately 250 to 300 feet across.