Yellowstone Park’s geothermal anatomy and features are in constant change. Mother Nature seems to always keep geologists guessing about what new feature or condition will change next.
Old Faithful takes longer to erupt than it used to. The “Faithful “eruptions are a little smaller and less predictable. Steamboat Geyser has erupted more in the last few years than it has in the past several decades. Mammoth Hot Springs have slowed down their flows. Other smaller geothermal features have exploded in recent years. Most of the park’s waters have warmed up due to changing geothermal activity.
There is also a new Geothermal puddle that has shown up in the Norris Geyser Basin. This feature has become hotter and more active in recent years. The new Puddle is in an area informally called Tree Island.
The Puddle Pool is surrounded by small, scattered rocks. These rocks are light gray in color. The puddle appears more like a small crater, caused by a hydrothermal explosion.
The Puddle appears light blue in color as a result from the small silica pieces strewn about the crater. The formation most likely formed during the recent earthquake swarms in the area. Recording equipment has documented eruptions that could have formed the puddle that is several feet across and a few feet deep. More than one geothermal event created the Puddle.
There is no formal new name for this feature. As folks check the area out, maybe a new plaque and name will surface.
We like muddy, silica, puddles!
Montana Grant
