Black Sand Basin, Yellowstone National Park

Part of the formations around one of the hot springs at Black Sand Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, US. Taken on 13 September 2012. Black Sand Basin was named for the course black obsidian sand that surrounds the thermal features there. This photo is from the same Basin as my previous photo, of Emerald Pool. This area is only about 1/2 mile from Old Faithful Geyser.

"Black Sand Basin contains a small collection of jewel-like geysers, and colorful hot springs. Emerald Pool is the most colorful and famous of these springs. It is a deep emerald green fringed by an outer ring of yellow and orange. Another colorful pool is Opalescent Pool. This recently formed pool inundated a stand of lodgepole pine, creating a stand of white skeletons amidst a rainbow-colored pool. An unusual geyser formed on the bank of Iron Creek. Cliff Geyser formed a rim or wall-like ridge of sinter around its crater from which it erupts 30 to 40 feet high."

www.yellowstonenationalpark.com/blacksand.htm