Black Sand Basin
Emerald Pool at the Black Sand Basin
Map
LocationYellowstone National Park
Coordinates44°27′46″N 110°51′17″W / 44.4628°N 110.8547°W / 44.4628; -110.8547
Elevation7,292
TypeVolcanic geothermal spring
Discharge33 gallons per minute
Temperature201°F (94°C)

Black Sand Basin is one of a grouping of geothermal hot springs and geysers located in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.[1][2] The spring is too hot to use as a mineral bath as its scalding 200 °F (93 °C) or hotter water has proven to be fatal.[2] In the winter, a marked ski trail runs from the Old Faithful Visitor Center to Black Sand Basin[3]

Geography

The area is named for its obsidian black sand that covers much of the basin. Hot springs in the Black Sand Basin are Emerald Pool 154.6 °F (68.1 °C), Rainbow Pool 161 °F (72 °C), Sunset Lake 180 °F (82 °C), Opalescent Pool 144 °F (62 °C) and Green Spring. Cliff Geyser 191.8 °F (88.8 °C) and Spouter Geyser 199.9 °F (93.3 °C) are also located in the basin, alongside Iron Spring creek.[4] The basin is located at the base of Rhyolite Cliffs.[5]

History

Black Sand Basin was originally called the Emerald Group, a name given to it by A. C. Peale in 1878 but tourists started calling it Black Sand Basin and that name stuck. The main draw of the basin used to be "Handkerchief Pool", people would drop a handkerchief in the pool, currents would carry it away, and after a short time it would rise back to the surface, freshly cleaned.[4]

Gallery

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Black Sand Basin.

References

  1. ^ "Black Sand Basin". Volcanic Springs: Geysers, Hot Springs, Mud Pots, and Fumaroles. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  2. ^ a b Berry, George W.; Grim, Paul J.; Ikelman, Joy A. (1980). Thermal Springs List for the United States. Boulder, Colorado: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. p. 48.
  3. ^ "Black Sand Basin Ski Trail". National Park Service. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  4. ^ a b Schreier, Carl (1992). A Field Guide to Yellowstone's geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles. Moose, WY: Homestead Pub. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-943-97209-1.
  5. ^ Rye, Robert O.; Truesdell, Alfred H. "Integrated Geoscience Studies in the Greater Yellowstone Area— Volcanic, Tectonic, and Hydrothermal Processes in the Yellowstone Geoecosystem" in The Question of Recharge to the Deep Thermal Reservoir Underlying the Geysers and Hot Springs of Yellowstone National Park (PDF). U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
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