Mammoth in Yellowstone National Park in Park County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Solfatara
Unstable Ground
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 29, 2015
1. Solfatara Marker
This hillside is venting. As sulfuric acid, gasses, and steam escape, they create a barren and very dangerous landscape called a solfatara: scalding mud and steam are often barely covered by hot, crumbling, decomposed rock. Unlike other geothermal features, this solfataras high concentration of sulfuric acid breaks down the surrounding rock making a confined “pluming system” unlikely – the gases and steam escape less dramatically.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.
Location. 44° 43.658′ N, 110° 42.104′ W. Marker is in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, in Park County. It is in Mammoth. It can be reached from Grand Loop Road (U.S. 89). Marker is located in the Porcelain Basin at the Norris Geyser Basin. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Yellowstone National Park WY 82190, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Bighorn Basin and in Greater Yellowstone. It is also in the American Mountain West and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Norris Geyser Basin (within shouting distance of this marker); Fumaroles (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Porcelain Springs (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Norris Geyser Basin (about 600 feet
this page online
More about this marker. A photograph on the right side of the marker has a caption of “Sometimes a solfatara has larger, well-defined vents like those at Roaring Mountain (just north of Norris Junction).”
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 29, 2015
2. Solfatara Marker
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 29, 2015
3. Marker at the Norris Geyser Basin
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 527 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 10, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
