Mammoth in Yellowstone National Park in Park County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Beauty and Chromatic Pools
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 31, 2015
1. Beauty and Chromatic Pools Marker
Living Color
The vivid colors of Beauty Pools basin and runoff channels are created by microscopic lifeforms. Incredibly, these organisms survive and thrive in an environment that would be lethal to us and most other living creatures. Scientists are just beginning to understand these lifeforms; amazingly, hot spring environments may sustain a diversity of organisms rivaling that of terrestrial rain forests.
Thermal Feature Color Gradient
In the geyser basin with alkaline or neutral pH (Upper Midway, Lower West Thumb, and Mammoth Hot Springs) color is primarily a function of what lives and grows in a feature. The graph to the right represents the upper environmental temperature limits for life and the corresponding colors (which vary over the course of a year as a consequence of seasonal changes) in the features or runoff channels.
Chart
Blue and clear waters are extremely hot and at times may exceed the boiling point (199° F [93° C] at this elevation) Archaea.
163° F (73° C) or lower Cyanobacteria.
144° F (62° C) or lower Fungi.
140° F (60° C) or lower Algae.
133° F (56° C) or lower Protozoa.
122° F (50° C) or lower
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80° F (27° C) or lower Trout.
Hidden Connections
Beauty Pool shares an underground link with Chromatic Pool (to your immediate left). When Beauty Pool is full, Chromatic Pools water level is much lower; sometimes the reverse may be observed. Many other features in the Upper Geyser Basin have demonstrated similar behavior. The factors affecting such exchanges of function are many and may include phenomena such as earthquakes and continuing mineral accumulations in each features underground “plumbing.”
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.
Location. 44° 28.099′ N, 110° 50.334′ W. Marker is in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, in Park County. It is in Mammoth. It can be reached from Lower Grand Loop Road (U.S. 287), on the left when traveling south. Marker is located in the Upper Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Yellowstone National Park WY 82190, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally,
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 31, 2015
2. Beauty and Chromatic Pools Marker
Beauty Pool can be seen behind the marker.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Grand Geyser (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Giant Geyser (approx. 0.2 miles away); Daisy Geyser (approx. Ό mile away); Grotto Geyser (approx. 0.3 miles away); Crested Pool (approx. 0.3 miles away); Castle Geyser (approx. 0.3 miles away); Riverside Geyser (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fading Glory (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yellowstone National Park.
More about this marker. Photographs of the Chromatic and Beauty Pools appear on the marker.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 31, 2015
3. Marker in the Upper Geyser Basin
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 31, 2015
4. Beauty Pool
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 31, 2015
5. Chromatic Pool
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 582 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 8, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
