Mammoth Hot Springs is a large complex of hot springs on a hill of travertine ( limestone deposit)
at Yellow Stone National Park . It is one of the world's best examples of travertine-depositing hot
at Yellow Stone National Park . It is one of the world's best examples of travertine-depositing hot
springs. Limestone is the dominant underlying rock here instead of rhyolite (silica rich rock), which
is dominant in park's other major hydrothermal areas. This hotspring is located adjacent to Fort
Yellowstone and Mammoth Hot springs Historic district. Fort Yellowstone was established for
military purpose while Yellowstone park was under the control of military during 1886-1918.
is dominant in park's other major hydrothermal areas. This hotspring is located adjacent to Fort
Yellowstone and Mammoth Hot springs Historic district. Fort Yellowstone was established for
military purpose while Yellowstone park was under the control of military during 1886-1918.
Mammoth Hot Spring also known as White Mountain hot spring lies outside the caldera boundary.
This natural sculpture was created over thousands of years as hot water from the spring cooled
and deposited calcium carbonate on the surface. When hot water rises through limestone, large
quantities of rock get dissolved and a white chalky mineral is deposited on the surface. Mammoth hot
spring gets its energy from the same magmatic system that fuels other Yellowstone geothermal areas.
The entrance to the Upper Terrace Drive is two miles (3.2 km) south of the Albright Visitor Center
on the Grand Loop Road. This road provide access to Mammoth Hot spring, Upper, Midway and
Lower geysers basin, Tower fall, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and lake Yellowstone. Grand
Loop road Historic district encompasses the primary road system in Yellowstone national park.
This scenic drive winds for 230 km among hot springs and travertine formations.
on the Grand Loop Road. This road provide access to Mammoth Hot spring, Upper, Midway and
Lower geysers basin, Tower fall, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and lake Yellowstone. Grand
Loop road Historic district encompasses the primary road system in Yellowstone national park.
This scenic drive winds for 230 km among hot springs and travertine formations.
There are two terraces here. Lower Terrace can be reached from boardwalks at their base or from
the Upper Terrace Drive. Lower terrace area is comprised of Opal terrace, Liberty Cap, Palette
Spring, Minerva Terrace, Cleopatra Terrace, Jupiter Terrace, Main terrace and Canary Spring.
Upper loop area has more incredible areas which include Prospect Terrace, New highland terrace,
Orange Spring mound, Bath lake, White Elephant Back Terrace and Angel Terrace.
the Upper Terrace Drive. Lower terrace area is comprised of Opal terrace, Liberty Cap, Palette
Spring, Minerva Terrace, Cleopatra Terrace, Jupiter Terrace, Main terrace and Canary Spring.
Upper loop area has more incredible areas which include Prospect Terrace, New highland terrace,
Orange Spring mound, Bath lake, White Elephant Back Terrace and Angel Terrace.
Liberty cap is an unusual inactive hot spring at Yellowstone National Park. This 37-foot (11-m)
cone marks the northern portion of Mammoth Hot Springs. It received its name from the 1871
expedition team by the Hayden Survey party because of its marked resemblance to the peaked caps
worn by colonial patriots during the French Revolution. This unusual formation was created by a hot
spring whose plumbing remained open in one location for a long time. Its internal pressure was
worn by colonial patriots during the French Revolution. This unusual formation was created by a hot
spring whose plumbing remained open in one location for a long time. Its internal pressure was
sufficient to raise the water to a great height, allowing mineral deposits to build continuously for
perhaps hundreds of years.
Opal Terrace of Lower terrace area received its name when it was a small spring with opal colors.
The terrace was created by mineral laden hot water flowing through steep landscape and depositing
minerals as step-like platforms. It was dormant until 1926 when it began to flow again and began
depositing up to one foot (0.3m) of travertine per year. Opal Terrace, mainly composed of calcium
rich travertine, constantly change its activity, shape and color
Opal Terrace of Lower terrace area received its name when it was a small spring with opal colors.
The terrace was created by mineral laden hot water flowing through steep landscape and depositing
minerals as step-like platforms. It was dormant until 1926 when it began to flow again and began
depositing up to one foot (0.3m) of travertine per year. Opal Terrace, mainly composed of calcium
rich travertine, constantly change its activity, shape and color
The Palette Spring is another attraction at Lower terrace, where water flows from a flat area and then
down a steep ridge, creating a colorful hillside palette of brown, green, and orange (the colors are
due to the presence of different heat-tolerant bacteria). This effect is much the same as an artist would
achieve by allowing wet paint to run down a vertical surface.
down a steep ridge, creating a colorful hillside palette of brown, green, and orange (the colors are
due to the presence of different heat-tolerant bacteria). This effect is much the same as an artist would
achieve by allowing wet paint to run down a vertical surface.
With its wide range of bright colors and ornate travertine formation, Minerva Terrace and spring is
considered as the most favorite attraction at Mammoth hot spring. For several years in the
early 1900's, it was completely dry. But by 1951 reports state that Minerva was again active.During
some cycles of activity, water discharge and mineral deposition have been so great that boardwalks
have been buried beneath mounds of newly deposited travertine. Consequently, an elevated and
movable boardwalk now spans the hill in the vicinity of Minerva of Lower Terrace.
considered as the most favorite attraction at Mammoth hot spring. For several years in the
early 1900's, it was completely dry. But by 1951 reports state that Minerva was again active.During
some cycles of activity, water discharge and mineral deposition have been so great that boardwalks
have been buried beneath mounds of newly deposited travertine. Consequently, an elevated and
movable boardwalk now spans the hill in the vicinity of Minerva of Lower Terrace.
This dynamic hydro thermal area constantly changes its features. Due to confusion related to the
intermittent nature of many of the springs in the Mammoth Area, the name Cleopatra Spring/Terrace
has been given to at least three different springs over the years. As the confusion developed the
original Cleopatra Spring came to be called Minerva Spring
intermittent nature of many of the springs in the Mammoth Area, the name Cleopatra Spring/Terrace
has been given to at least three different springs over the years. As the confusion developed the
original Cleopatra Spring came to be called Minerva Spring
There are approximately 50 hot springs in the Mammoth Hot Springs area. Jupiter Terrace of Lower
terrace area displays cycles of activity. In the 1980s Jupiter Terrace flowed so heavily that it
overtook boardwalks several times. It has been dry since 1992, but when active, its color and
terrace area displays cycles of activity. In the 1980s Jupiter Terrace flowed so heavily that it
overtook boardwalks several times. It has been dry since 1992, but when active, its color and
intricate terraces make Jupiter an appealing spring.
Main terrace is constantly changing as new springs show up and others become inactive. Bunsen
Peak,Terrace Mountain and Clagette Butte are the main peaks adjacent to Mammoth Hot spring
terrace. Some sections of boardwalk are wheelchair-accessible; the rest of the area has stairs or steep
grades due to the terrain .
Peak,Terrace Mountain and Clagette Butte are the main peaks adjacent to Mammoth Hot spring
terrace. Some sections of boardwalk are wheelchair-accessible; the rest of the area has stairs or steep
grades due to the terrain .
Canary spring at the lower terrace loop is named for its bright yellow color, Canary owes its
brilliance to sulfur dependent filamentous bacteria. The colors blend here in delicate tints on the
creamy rock face.
Bacteria and algae create the streaks of color seen at Mammoth hot spring terraces. Blue-green algae
and cyano bacteria, in colors of green, yellow, orange and red, line the terrace run-off channels.
Cyno bacteria, flow of water, temperature and minerals decide the color and shape of terraces here.
creamy rock face.
Bacteria and algae create the streaks of color seen at Mammoth hot spring terraces. Blue-green algae
and cyano bacteria, in colors of green, yellow, orange and red, line the terrace run-off channels.
Cyno bacteria, flow of water, temperature and minerals decide the color and shape of terraces here.
There are many unnamed springs and pools exist at Upper terrace area. Many trees seen here on the
hillside was engulfed by travertine and now stand as skeletons. Many of the thermal features at
Mammoth hot spring changes from season to season depending on water flow and temperature.
hillside was engulfed by travertine and now stand as skeletons. Many of the thermal features at
Mammoth hot spring changes from season to season depending on water flow and temperature.
One can also find many other infamous terraces and springs like Angel springs, Aphrodite terrace,
Baby terrace, Bath lake, Blue spring, Cavern terrace, Cedar tree spring, Cheops Mound, Dedolph
springs, Devil's kitchen spring and thumbs, Fan spring, Fissure ridge, Gelen spring at Mammoth Hot
Springs. These individually named and unnamed features enriches the Mammoth hot spring area.
Baby terrace, Bath lake, Blue spring, Cavern terrace, Cedar tree spring, Cheops Mound, Dedolph
springs, Devil's kitchen spring and thumbs, Fan spring, Fissure ridge, Gelen spring at Mammoth Hot
Springs. These individually named and unnamed features enriches the Mammoth hot spring area.
Due to the soft nature of limestone, travertine formations grow much more rapidly than the more
common sinter formations in the park. Due to the rapid deposition, these features constantly and
quickly change. Years of observation of the hot spring activity at Mammoth indicate that while
change is ongoing and sometimes takes place literally overnight, the overall level of activity and
water discharge has remained relatively constant throughout the decades.
common sinter formations in the park. Due to the rapid deposition, these features constantly and
quickly change. Years of observation of the hot spring activity at Mammoth indicate that while
change is ongoing and sometimes takes place literally overnight, the overall level of activity and
water discharge has remained relatively constant throughout the decades.
The Mammoth Terraces extend all the way from the hillside, across the Parade Ground, and down to
Boiling River. Terrace Mountain at Mammoth Hot Springs is the largest known carbonate-depositing
spring in the world. Maximum water temperature measured here is 163°F/73°C. For hundreds of
years, Shoshone and Bannock people collected minerals from Mammoth Hot Springs for white paint.
years, Shoshone and Bannock people collected minerals from Mammoth Hot Springs for white paint.
The volcanic heat source for Mammoth Hot Springs remains somewhat of a mystery. Scientists have
proposed a number of sources, including the large magma chamber underlying the Yellowstone
Caldera, or perhaps a smaller heat source closer to Mammoth. At Mammoth, a network of fractures
and fissures form the plumbing system that allows hot water from underground to reach the surface.
The water sources are rain and snow falling on the surrounding mountains and seeping deep into the
earth where it is heated. Small earthquakes may keep the plumbing open.
As the name suggest, Mammoth hot spring is very huge and gigantic with formations resembling
frozen waterfall .The minerals and bacteria contribute to the beautiful terrace structures, along with
heat, natural plumbing system, water, and limestone. The Mammoth village area also contain several
thermal kames including Capitol Hill and Dude Hill.
frozen waterfall .The minerals and bacteria contribute to the beautiful terrace structures, along with
heat, natural plumbing system, water, and limestone. The Mammoth village area also contain several
thermal kames including Capitol Hill and Dude Hill.
Limestone was deposited here millions of years ago when a vast sea covered this area. Hot water with
dissolved carbon dioxide makes a solution of weak carbonic acid. As the solution rises through rock,
it dissolves calcium carbonate, the primary compound in limestone. At the surface, the calcium
carbonate is deposited in the form of travertine (rock) that forms the terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs.
The Mammoth area exhibits much evidence of glacial activity from the Pinedale glaciation . The
Pinedale (central Rocky Mountains) or Fraser (Cordilleran ice sheet) glaciation was the last of the
major glaciations to appear in the Rocky Mountian in the United States. The Pinedale lasted from
approximately 30,000 to 10,000 years ago .The summit of Terrace Mountain is covered with glacial
till , thereby dating the travertine formation there to earlier than the end of the Pinedale Glaciation.
Pinedale (central Rocky Mountains) or Fraser (Cordilleran ice sheet) glaciation was the last of the
major glaciations to appear in the Rocky Mountian in the United States. The Pinedale lasted from
approximately 30,000 to 10,000 years ago .The summit of Terrace Mountain is covered with glacial
till , thereby dating the travertine formation there to earlier than the end of the Pinedale Glaciation.
The 2,990 feet Mt. Everts, seen at a distance borders the Mammoth hot spring. This mountain is
made up of distinctly layered sandstones and shales-sedimentary rocks which were deposited when
this area was covered by a shallow inland sea around 70 to 140 million years ago.The majority of
Mt.Everts is made of Cretaceous era sediments. Nearby is situated the Washburn range made of
volcanic mud flow. The Washburn Range is one of two mountains ranges completely within the
boundaries of Yellowstone.One of three active fire lookout towers in Yellowstone is located on the
summit of Wash burn range while the remaining two are placed on Mt. Holmes, and Mt. Sheridan.
made up of distinctly layered sandstones and shales-sedimentary rocks which were deposited when
this area was covered by a shallow inland sea around 70 to 140 million years ago.The majority of
Mt.Everts is made of Cretaceous era sediments. Nearby is situated the Washburn range made of
volcanic mud flow. The Washburn Range is one of two mountains ranges completely within the
boundaries of Yellowstone.One of three active fire lookout towers in Yellowstone is located on the
summit of Wash burn range while the remaining two are placed on Mt. Holmes, and Mt. Sheridan.
Camera : Canon T5
