Posts Tagged ‘West Thumb Paint Pots’
One indicator of a possible increase in thermal energy in an area are the trees. If the soil temperature raises too high – generally speaking that means when the soil temperature reaches about 100° F at a depth of 1 foot. When well established trees die off, like this clump, it is something to keep in mind if you visit often – and could mean an energy surge happened and left, or is happening. As of my last visit, I believe this entire clump is now dead with no needles, but no new thermal features have broken out near them, but I still keep an eye out here as a spot to watch.
A group of dying pine trees uphill from Lakeside Spring 18 June 2009
They can also die from beetles and other stresses, but also the minerals in the water can coat their plumbing not unlike the way minerals can clog your shower head at home. These trees have white at the bottom of the trunks giving them the name ‘bobby socks trees.’
Bobby Sock Trees in the Lower Geyser Basin in a snowstorm 7 June 2008
In the past few years, I’ve noticed trees sporting the orange needles of death on the south side, below Bluebell and Seismograph Pools, and some between the Thumb Paint Pots and Surging Spring ever since Surging Spring increased it’s activity. Because of this, I’ve now added this view to my regular shots taken at West Thumb that shows the trees between the paint pots and surging – the ones just downhill from there also are turning deathly orange. Just another spot to watch.
Thumb Paint Pots area, looking north 25 Sept 2011
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Short answer: maybe, but then again – maybe not. Right now, they don’t look much like mud.
Over the years the Paint Pots have shifted from tossing up delicate shades of mud to becoming a milky white pond ringed with grass. It really has become beautiful in a different way.
After my post last Friday about West Thumb, I started to pull together some comparison photos. Even in one summer season, changes occur. The top photo was taken from the lower overlook, so you’ll have to reverse that one in your mind (obviously I walked a different route through the boardwalks that time). I still need to search through my photos to verify, but I don’t recall ever seeing that one pool green. But this just shows – while not active with lots of geysers, West Thumb invites you to enjoy a quieter beauty and subtle changes. It’s only about 30 minutes from Old Faithful – and well worth it especially at sunrise and sunset.
Janet
http://youtu.be/5AEIEBWUFYE