A popular body of water in Yellowstone National Park, known as the Morning Glory Geothermal Pool, has undergone an alarming color change due to the “inconsiderate” actions of tourists.
Over the years, the lake has accumulated coins, garbage and stones thrown by visitorswhich has drastically altered the appearance and temperature of the water, according to park historians and former workers.
Jeff Henry, a former Yellowstone game warden, explained to Wyoming Cowboy State Daily that the lake’s water has become tinted shades of green and yellow, especially in the deeper areas and closer to the edges, respectively.
“The park’s main road used to run right through Morning Glorywhich explains some of the pieces of metal, probably car parts, that were thrown to the bottom of the pool,” Henry said. “We found tons of trash, probably thousands of coins,” he added.
This change not only affects the color of the water, but also its temperature.which has allowed the growth of different bacteria that have contributed to the transformation of the pool.
Mike Poland, scientist in charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, explained that the hottest geothermal pools are usually bright blue, while the coldest ones can be more colorful due to bacterial growth. “In Morning Glory, the temperature has decreased because thrown objects partially blocked the duct, allowing bacteria of different colors to proliferate,” Poland said.
The tradition of throwing objects into the pool dates back to 1872when the park was inaugurated. Alicia Murphy, a park historian, noted that tourists often threw coins and other objects in hopes of triggering a geothermal phenomenon or as part of a good luck charm.
“People didn’t understand plumbing or how geysers worked, and they believed that if they threw something into the water, it could cause an explosion.. “It was a combination of trial and error and a misunderstanding of the damage they were causing,” Murphy explained.
Over the years, efforts to raise awareness about preserving the park have yielded some results.. Henry noted that compared to previous decades, it is now much less common to see objects in Yellowstone springs. “People are much more respectful than in my early days. It’s one of the ways values and behavior have changed over the years,” he said.
Despite the improvement in visitor behavior, the damage already done to Morning Glory remains evident. Trash embedded in the sides and vent of the spring has reduced water circulation, cooling the waters and allowing the growth of orange and yellow bacteria.
The National Park Service recalls that the Morning Glory pool was named in the 1880s due to its striking resemblance to the flower of the same name. However, its natural beauty continues to be threatened by pollution caused by careless tourism, underscoring the need for greater efforts to protect the park’s fragile ecosystems.
2024-10-07 00:40:04