Yellowstone National Park is home to what is widely the consider the most extraordinary collection of hydrothermal features on Earth. Yellowstone has more than 10,000 hydrothermal features, the most common of which are hot springs.
Hot springs are hydrothermal features where water (originating as precipitation) seeps through underground bedrock and becomes superheated by the Yellowstone volcanic magmatic system before rising back to the surface. This heated surface water often supports colorful thermophilic microorganisms and creates vivid but fragile mineral formations.
The most famous hot spring in Yellowstone in Mammoth Hot Spring which is made accessible for tourists with thoughtfully constructed boardwalks that traverse the area. These boardwalks preserve the fragile landscape below and keep tourists safe from the hazards they present. Yellowstone requires visitors to always stay on boardwalks or designated trails in hot spring areas as the ground is often thin and can break which would cause lasting environmental damage and expose guests to the scalding water just below the surface.
The following video showcases a Yellowstone tourist who disregarded park regulations to film a video for his social media channels. Vape in hand while whiffing sulfur gases, aspiring San Bernadino rapper Doeboi 909 proudly exited a designated boardwalk to stand next to a hot spring while asking his social media followers “where to go next.”
Doeboi 909’s actions were in clear breach of Yellowstone park policies and violations of this type can result in fines, bans, or even jail time. As a reminder to anyone visiting Yellowstone, many people have been injured by breaking through the fragile surfaces surrounding hydrothermal features and some people have died from falling into hydrothermal features. Learn more about hydrothermal safety at Yellowstone National Park below.
Yellowstone National Park Hydrothermal Safety Guidelines:
-Stay on all boardwalks and trails in hydrothermal areas and keep children within reach.
-Pets are not allowed in hydrothermal areas.
-Swimming or bathing is prohibited in hydrothermal pools or streams where water flows entirely from a hydrothermal source.
-Be aware that toxic gases exist in some hydrothermal areas. If you feel sick, leave the location immediately.
