West Thumb Geyser Basin Audio Tour

Things to do on the Tour Include:

• Welcome

  Your tour begins just outside the West Thumb Information Station.

• Hydrothermal Systems

  Discover that Yellowstone sits atop a volcano with a magma chamber 10,000 feet beneath, heating underground water and creating explosive geothermal activity.

• Surging Spring and Collapsing Pool

  Observe Surging Spring, a unique hot spring that rises and falls every five minutes, and learn about its cyclical nature.

• Thumb Geyser

  Witness the vibrant Thumb Geyser, its colorful appearance influenced by heat-loving bacteria thriving in Yellowstone's unique ecosystem.

• Blue Funnel Spring

  Explore Blue Funnel Spring, which has cooled and drained over the years, and its connection to The Abyss Pool.

• The Tukudika

  Discover the Tukudika tribe, the only group to reside in Yellowstone year-round, relying on the region's resources for survival.

• The Crow

  Learn about the Crow tribe's reverence for Yellowstone's geysers, which they called "Bide-Mahpe" or "sacred and powerful waters."

• Daniel Potts

  Hear about Daniel Potts, an early visitor to Yellowstone who described its geothermal features, including geysers and hot springs, in his letters.

• Twin Geyser

  Marvel at Twin Geyser, named for its dual vents that once propelled water 120 feet into the air, and note the presence of wildlife in the area.

• Hillside Geyser

  Learn about Hillside Geyser, its past eruptions, and the impact of human interference on these geothermal features.

• Abyss Pool

  Witness Abyss Pool, one of Yellowstone's deepest hot springs, and its connection to the drainage of other nearby pools.

• Black Pool

  Explore Black Pool and how its temperature shift in the 1990s transformed its appearance from dark brown to beautiful blue.

• The 2003 Bulge

  Discover the 2003 geological findings that led to concerns about a volcanic eruption, and how it was ultimately interpreted.

• Big Cone Geyser

  Admire Big Cone Geyser, the largest in West Thumb, and its distinctive cone formed by mineral deposits.

• Fishing Cone

  Hear the story of Fishing Cone Geyser, once used by early explorers to cook freshly caught fish right in the geyser's waters.

• Lakeshore Geyser

  Learn about Lakeshore Geyser, its historical eruptions, and its significance in the ecosystem.

• Lakeshore Geyser

  Learn about Lakeshore Geyser, its historical eruptions, and its significance in the ecosystem.

• Yellowstone Lake

  Appreciate Yellowstone Lake's size and beauty, along with its role as a habitat for various species, despite its cold temperatures.

• Geysers and Grant

  Acknowledge the significance of geysers in Yellowstone's landscape and the role they played in the park's establishment.

• Bluebell Pool & Seismograph Pool

  Observe the color change in the pools due to a seismic event in 1959, and the presence of thermophilic cyanobacteria.

• Conclusion

  Wrap up the tour, express gratitude for exploring West Thumb Geyser Basin, and invite feedback for future improvements.