The Story Behind This Stunning Geyser In Wyoming Is Tragic

Not only are we our own worst enemy but we are also nature’s worst enemy. Sadly, this rings true in Wyoming at one of our most beloved national parks. Yellowstone is home to a beautiful geyser that is under an environmental threat and humans are responsible for its destruction.

By NPS, Mike Cline - Map screen captured from NPS website: http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/tours/oldfaithful/ofmapnorth.htm and annotated with additional data, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5826612 The geyser that is being affected is the Morning Glory Pool which is a hot spring located in the Upper Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park.

Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=289408 Morning Glory was given its name in 1883 by the wife of the Assistant Park Superintendent. The original name given to this pool was ‘Convolutus’ which is the Latin name for the Morning Glory flower.

TripAdvisor/pricklypoppy

By William Keller - Downloaded from National Park Service Photo Gallery: http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/slidefile/thermalfeatures/hotspringsterraces/upper/Images/05941.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5821800 The beautiful colors of the pool are created by bacteria that is able to survive and thrive in the extremely hot temperature.

Flickr/Gary Windust

Flickr/Michael Matti The reason it is referred to as a geyser at times is because on several occasions it has erupted as a geyser due to earthquakes and seismic activity.

TripAdvisor/Shifra Toronto Ironically, Morning Glory has suffered from those who have come to enjoy its beauty. Bottles, coins and trash have been thrown into the pool and over the years, the trash has built up and blocked some of the thermal vents reducing the heat of the pool. This has allowed other bacteria to work its way around the outer edges creating the unhealthy red and yellow rings.

Flickr/Travis Park officials have made several attempts to artificially induce eruptions to try to clear the thermal vents of the debris. However, these attempts have not been ideal.

Due to ignorance, litter and vandalism, Morning Glory is turning into a “Faded Glory.”

The geyser that is being affected is the Morning Glory Pool which is a hot spring located in the Upper Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park.

Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=289408

Morning Glory was given its name in 1883 by the wife of the Assistant Park Superintendent. The original name given to this pool was ‘Convolutus’ which is the Latin name for the Morning Glory flower.

TripAdvisor/pricklypoppy

The beautiful colors of the pool are created by bacteria that is able to survive and thrive in the extremely hot temperature.

Flickr/Gary Windust

Flickr/Michael Matti

The reason it is referred to as a geyser at times is because on several occasions it has erupted as a geyser due to earthquakes and seismic activity.

TripAdvisor/Shifra Toronto

Ironically, Morning Glory has suffered from those who have come to enjoy its beauty. Bottles, coins and trash have been thrown into the pool and over the years, the trash has built up and blocked some of the thermal vents reducing the heat of the pool. This has allowed other bacteria to work its way around the outer edges creating the unhealthy red and yellow rings.

Flickr/Travis

Park officials have made several attempts to artificially induce eruptions to try to clear the thermal vents of the debris. However, these attempts have not been ideal.

For other hot springs, check out these 17 Amazing Hot Springs In The U.S. Everyone Must Visit.

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