Posted by Mark Seaver on October 20, 2017 at 12:08 PM
In comments on my recent post of an abstract view of Palette Springs, a couple of folks wondered about the colors and the natural history. Since that information may be of interest to many, I thought a forum response would good.
The colors in most of the hot springs and geyser runoff channels are due to bacteria and algae the live in hot water (thermophilic organisms). For some species of bacteria, the colors change depending on both the temperature and how much light they get, which means that the colors can change modestly with the seasons. Here's a link to a good description. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/science-behind-yellowstones-rainbow-hot-spring-180950483/
At Mammoth, where Palette Springs is located, the amount of hot water and the locations change constantly, which makes for different looks in all of my twice yearly visits. The dead tree in my post has been there since before a visit in 1997. This tree and the several others just out of the field of view had to grow in ground that was not in contact with the hot water. The hot flow then moved and the heat killed the trees. You'd have to go through Yellowstone's photo archives to find out how long ago that was.
Mark, an interesting read at that provided link. Needless to say the hot water has a way of turning a lot of the vegetation, rock, and assorted minerals in the soil into a variety of colorful combinations. More so under those extreme temps then basic hot water alone. One can surely see the massive attractions to these sites for viewing pleasure, as well as our photographic needs and wants as well. Needless to say the beauty has a horrendous underlying danger too......
Posted by Lon Overacker on October 20, 2017 at 3:21 PM
Thanks very much for the explanation and info - especially about the tree(s). Always appreciate learning things - even beyond photography itself!
Lon
Posted by Jim Zablotny on October 21, 2017 at 8:04 AM
I enjoyed looking over the hot springs up ay YNP. I had fun trying to capture plate springs in dull flat light. Colors were fairly intense............Jim
Discussion
5 repliesThe colors in most of the hot springs and geyser runoff channels are due to bacteria and algae the live in hot water (thermophilic organisms). For some species of bacteria, the colors change depending on both the temperature and how much light they get, which means that the colors can change modestly with the seasons. Here's a link to a good description.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/science-behind-yellowstones-rainbow-hot-spring-180950483/
At Mammoth, where Palette Springs is located, the amount of hot water and the locations change constantly, which makes for different looks in all of my twice yearly visits. The dead tree in my post has been there since before a visit in 1997. This tree and the several others just out of the field of view had to grow in ground that was not in contact with the hot water. The hot flow then moved and the heat killed the trees. You'd have to go through Yellowstone's photo archives to find out how long ago that was.
Lon
ps: I made your Smithsonian link clickable for you.
--P