Later in the day, after thoroughly exploring the north and south rims, we drove around the park to the west side to view the rest of the Norris Geyser Basin. The remaining section was dubbed the Porcelain Basin and consisted of much more colorful thermal features than the rest of the basin. Living in these thermal features are a host of tiny heat-loving microorganisms called Thermophiles. These are some of the most extreme living conditions on Earth, and scientists study these conditions to better understand similar deposits and the possibility of life on Mars.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone from The North Rim
Lower Falls (and a rainbow) from Uncle Tom's Trail
The colors of Porcelain Basin
Posts
1 comment:
I lived in Bozeman, MT for 10-years and made around 30-trips into Yellowstone during that time. Never was I bored and always was I fascinated by the myriad life forms and geologic features that simply command your attention. On the biology front: sitting on a bluff in the Lamar Valley and watching the daily struggle with life and death unfold before me on a grand and immediate basis. Wolves hunting elk, grizzlies and coyotes scavenging kills, bald eagles watching from their perches -- all going on simultaneously! A true wonderland treasure and the best nature research project you could imagine!
Post a Comment