An aerial view of the rainbow-hued Grand Prismatic Spring in the United States

Text by the editorial team of MOOK Travel Life Network, compiled and reported by Liao Qiyu

 

The colorful pool (Grand Prismatic Spring), also known as the Great Prism Spring, located in Yellowstone National Park, is the largest hot spring in the U.S. and the third largest in the world. It spans 75–91 meters in width and reaches a depth of 49 meters, discharging approximately 2,000 liters of 71-degree Celsius hot water per minute. The Great Prism Spring resembles a giant, deep blue eye hidden within the Earth’s misty embrace, surrounded by radiant, flamboyant flames.

Notably, the surface colors of the Great Prism Spring vary with the seasons. In spring, the pool shifts from green to brilliant orange-red. This is due to the algae and pigment-containing bacteria living in the mineral-rich waters, whose ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoids changes with the seasons, resulting in different water colors. In summer, when chlorophyll levels are relatively low, the pool displays orange, red, or yellow hues. By winter, with limited sunlight, these microbes produce more chlorophyll to suppress the carotenoid colors, giving the pool a deep green appearance.

Additionally, the warm water flowing from the hot spring pools erodes the surrounding soil and rocks over time, creating layered grooves and patterns on the water’s surface. These are adorned with vibrant microbial colors, resembling a surreal, earthy picture book.