Living ColorThe vivid colors of Beauty Pool's basin and runoff channels are created by microscopic lifeforms. Incredibly, these organisms survive and thrive in an environment that would be lethal to us and most other living creatures. Scientists are just beginning to understand these lifeforms; amazingly, hot spring environments may sustain a diversity of organisms rivaling that of terrestrial rain forests.Thermal Feature Color GradientIn the geyser basin with alkaline or neutral pH (Upper Midway, Lower West Thumb, and Mammoth Hot Springs) color is primarily a function of what lives and grows in a feature. The graph to the right represents the upper environmental temperature limits for life and the corresponding colors (which vary over the course of a year as a consequence of seasonal changes) in the features or runoff channels.ChartBlue and clear waters are extremely hot and at times may exceed the boiling point (199° F [93° C] at this elevation)   Archaea. 163° F (73° C) or lower   Cyanobacteria. 144° F (62° C) or lower   Fungi.140° F (60° C) or lower   Algae.133° F (56° C) or lower   Protozoa.122° F (50° C) or lower   Mosses, crustaceans, and insects.  80° F (27° C) or lower   Trout.Hidden ConnectionsBeauty Pool shares an underground link with Chromatic Pool (to your immediate left). When Beauty Pool is full, Chromatic Pool's water level is much lower; sometimes the reverse may be observed. Many other features in the Upper Geyser Basin have demonstrated similar behavior. The factors affecting such exchanges of function are many and may include phenomena such as earthquakes and continuing mineral accumulations in each feature's underground "plumbing."

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Show me all markers in:  Yellowstone National Park, WY  |  Teton County  |  82190  |  Wyoming  |  United States of America

Grand Geyser
Giant Geyser
Daisy Geyser
Grotto Geyser
Crested Pool
Castle Geyser
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