New Land

Lava flows directly into the ocean at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the island of Hawaii.  This is the newest land on earth as the island continues to expand.

If you click on the image you will see a larger version of it and can see more detail.

Grand Prismatic Spring I

As hot mineral water seeps out of the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park it leaves tiny layers of minerals.  The heat of the water provides an ideal environment for bacteria, which grow in colorful mats over the wavy mineral deposits.  The end result is an amazing display of color and texture.

Geothermal Features

The constant bubbling of mineral infused, hot water leaves colorful, thin layers of sediment throughout the geothermal areas of Yellowstone National Park.  The hot spring in the foreground of this photo reminds me of a lunar crater while the colorful cliff and distant steam behind it add to the other-worldliness of the scene.

Dragon’s Mouth

One of the geothermal features we liked best at the Mud Volcano in Yellowstone National Park was “Dragon’s Mouth”.  The combination of steam and the deep, hissing and gurgling sounds that occasionally come from the vent make the name somewhat self explanatory when you’re there.

Evening At Grand Prismatic Spring

The sun hung low in the sky as I made my way toward the Grand Prismatic Spring, in Yellowstone National Park.  I liked the strong contrast of the sun reflecting off the water and the silhouettes of the mountains and other park visitors.

Steaming Stump

When I arrived at the edge of the lake, this stump was absorbing the sun.  As the dark wood warmed snow was converted into a small cloud of steam.  As a result, this photo shows all three forms of water:  frozen (snow), liquid (water), and vapor (steam).