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Scenic Yellowstone
This first image is a postcard I picked up at the gift shop showing the results of the out of control fire that decimated Yellowstone in 1988.
It is considered the worst fire season in Yellowstone's history, having burned some 1.4 million acres in the Yellowstone ecosystem between June and October (this is equal to 1/3 of the park). Twenty-five thousand firefighters and $120 million dollars did little to stop the massive flames.
Many blame the park's "prescribed natural fire" policy. Under this policy, fires in wilderness areas and some other parts of the national park system were monitored. If the fires did not threaten people, property, or natural resources, they were not put out by fire fighters. Instead, the fires were allowed to extinguish naturally as a result of rain or lack of fuel.
The next two photos show Yellowstone today. Much of it has begun to grow back after ten years, but as you can see in the photos, it's gonna take a long, long time before the forest is fully restored.
Related Link: "Yellowstone From the Ashes"
West Thumb
West Thumb Geyser Basin is one of the smallest geyser basins in Yellowstone yet its location along the shore of Yellow-stone Lake ranks it as the most scenic. West Thumb derived its name from the thumb-like projection of Yellowstone Lake and the name was given by the 1870 Washburn Expedition. It was also known as Hot Spring Camp. West Thumb has less geyser activity than other basins. But West Thumb, for its size, has it all-hot springs, pools, mud pots, fumaroles and lake shore geysers.
Fountain Paint Pot, Lower Geyser Basin
Fountain Paint Pot is an example of a mud pot. In a mud pot steam rises through a basin of mud. Usually there is no excess water to run off, and because of this the thickness of the mud changes along with seasonal changes in the water table.
Fountain Paint Pot is usually best viewed in winter when the water table, and local snow melt combine to produce perfect conditions for the display of the world famous 'bubbling mud.'
Mammoth Springs
The main attraction at Mammoth Hot Springs is the terraces. Heat, water, limestone, and rock fracture combine
to create the terraces. Travertine is deposited as white rock, however the microorganisms and living bacteria
create beautiful shades of oranges, pinks, yellows, greens, and browns. The Mammoth Hot springs are constantly
changing. As formations grow, water is forced to flow in different directions. The constant changes in water and
mineral deposits create a living sculpture. Mammoth Hot Springs is divided into two sections, the lower terraces,
and the Upper terrace Loop.
Tower Falls
Tower Creek tumbles 132 feet over Tower Falls and then flows into the Yellowstone River. Tower Falls gets
its name from the volcanic pinnacles towering above the falls. The first image is a photograph taken of Tower
Falls in 1890. Compare it to a current photo - hasn't changed much in 121 years, has it?
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