Mammoth in Yellowstone National Park in Park County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Crested Pool
Superheated Waters
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 31, 2015
1. Crested Pool Marker
Hot springs are the most numerous type of thermal feature in Yellowstone. More than 10,000 are scattered across Yellowstone’s 2 million acres, but few are as hot and as intensely colored as Crested Pool. Water temperatures within the pool often exceed the boiling point (199° F or 93° C at this elevation) and reach superheated temperatures of 201° - 202° F (94° C). The spring’s intense blue color results when sunlight passes into clear waters. Blue, from the rainbow of colors in visible light, is scattered the most and, therefore, is the color we see.
At times, fierce, boiling waters within Crested Pool can explode to heights of 7 feet, acting like a geyser. It is believed, however, that no constrictions block the flow of water to the surface. The spring’s wide mouth and 43-foot depth provide a natural conduit for superheated water to circulate continuously to the surface.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.
Location. 44° 27.839′ N, 110° 50.189′ W. Marker is in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, in Park County. It is in Mammoth. Marker can be reached from Lower Grand Loop Road (U.S. 287), on the left when traveling south
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Castle Geyser (within shouting distance of this marker); Grand Geyser (approx. 0.2 miles away); Beauty and Chromatic Pools (approx. 0.3 miles away); Beehive Geyser (approx. 0.4 miles away); Giant Geyser (approx. half a mile away); Snow-Movers (approx. half a mile away); Daisy Geyser (approx. 0.6 miles away); Grotto Geyser (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yellowstone National Park.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 31, 2015
2. Crested Pool Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 31, 2015
3. Marker in the Upper Geyser Basin
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 31, 2015
4. Crested Pool
Photochrom postcard by the Photochrom Co. (Detroit Photographic Company), 1898
5. Castle Geyser, Yellowstone National Park
Crested Pool is in the foreground, with Castle Geyser erupting in the background.
Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.
Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.
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 376 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 8, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 5. submitted on September 9, 2015.
