This past summer a Yellowstone National Park scientist was driving south from Mammoth Hot Springs towards Norris Geyser Basin when they noticed a billowing steam column across a marsh. Believing that this could be new activity, the scientist notified the park geology team for verification.
The park was able to verify that this was in fact a new hydrothermal feature, located in a region called the Roadside Springs thermal area. It’s located at the foot of a rhyolite lava flow, three meters above the marsh.
When geologists approached the feature, they found that it had a temperature of 171°F, or 77° C. The feature’s young nature was indicated by a thin veneer of grey silicious clay covering the surrounding surface. This feature could be the continuation of activity that started in 2003 just a short distance away.
A strong steam plume continued to come from the feature into late fall of 2024, most visible during the colder mornings. The plume gradually disappeared as winter took hold, with some water in the vent decreasing the amount of steam released. The feature is still active, but it’s not clear if it will return to full strength this upcoming summer.
There are more than 10,000 hydrothermal features within Yellowstone National Park, ranging from hot springs to explosive geysers. Additionally, there are over 100 major hydrothermal areas mapped by geologists throughout the park.
