Thermal Dangers
Yellowstone is a land like none other. Its vast wildlands of more than 2.2 million acres boast the world's most diverse and intact collection of geothermal features. With some 10,000 mudpots, fumaroles, and hot springs, and more than 200 active geysers, Yellowstone is home to more than 75% of the world's geysers. Millions of visitors from around the world travel to this unique land for pure inspiration and understanding of the geological forces that are revealed on the earth's crust in our world's first national park. The National Park Service oversees the regulations and policies of Yellowstone and caution is advised in thermal areas, due to inherent thermal dangers that apply in the geyser region of the park.
The geyser region of Yellowstone occupies the ancient Yellowstone Caldera and is one of the main attractions in the park. Most geyser basins in Yellowstone exist because of volcanic faulting. When the caldera last erupted 630,000 years ago, the floor of the giant crater dropped downward, more than 1,000 feet along a ring-shaped fault. Today, Yellowstone remains alive as a tremendous amount of heat flows from the ground. The entire floor of the caldera huffs upward and puffs downward over decades as molten rock, hot water, and steam move through conduits at various levels beneath the caldera, from a few miles deep in the crust to perhaps a couple hundred miles deep in the mantle. The shallowest hot water and steam erupt to the surface as everchanging geysers, springs, mud pots, and steam vents.
Caution is advised throughout the year for the thermal dangers that exist in this delicate region. Over the years, there have been many injuries and deaths surrounding the thermal features in Yellowstone National Park. The park service has set regulations to offer the visitor awareness of their environment, along with guidelines to be followed to ensure the safety of those exploring these natural wonders.
1. Be extremely cautious in thermal areas due to thin and fragile crusts overlying boiling water.
2. Be alert for bears in geyser basins in spring and early summer.
3. Do not travel through thermal areas after dark.
4. Stock are not permitted in thermal areas.
5. Altering or putting objects in thermal features is prohibited.
6. Swimming, soaking or bathing in water that are entirely of thermal origin is prohibited.
In thermal areas, the ground may be only a thin crust above boiling hot springs, and there is no way to guess where a safe path is. New hazards can bubble up overnight, and pools are acidic enough to burn through boots, so you must stay in designated walking areas. The park service has established boardwalks for an easy and safe approach to thermal features. Every person needs to be cognitive of their surroundings and responsible for children that are touring the geyser basins. Pets are not allowed off leash in the park, and are not allowed on any boardwalk in the geyser basin. For everyone's enjoyment and safety, leave your leashed pets in the parking lot with supervision or in the safe comforts of your vehicle.
You may want to check in at a ranger station before setting off to explore the backcountry areas of the geyser region. Many elk, deer and bison winter in geyser basins, and several animals die throughout the winter. These carcasses provide an important food source for grizzly and black bears emerging from winter dens. Some areas may be restricted and zoned for wildlife only, so it is best to visit with a ranger to obtain the most up to date and accurate information.
Just remember that although Yellowstone may often be teeming with visitors it is still a vast, magnificent wilderness with related dangers. Respect for Yellowstone and its wonderous lands is required from all who visit. We are truly fortunate to have this protected wildland that we can explore and gain wisdom from its natural processes. With education and awareness of the thermal features and the dangers that are associated with this region, we can better protect ourselves from harm, and minimize the impact of the millions of visitors that enter the park's gates every year. Use caution in the geyser region and pay close attention to the thermal dangers that are often overlooked by the wonder and beauty of this raw land. There is no doubt, the park is beautiful, but geyser basins pose serious threats to unaware visitors.
