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Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
High-temp terraces
Besides these golden-brown tones, the microbial mats surrounding the Grand Prismatic Spring also appear in bright greens, reds and yellows during broad daylight. Should you get a chance to visit this Yellowstone hotspot at sunset, after the buzzing daily crowds thin, the terrace-like layers of microscopic life are still a compelling sight. These tiny yet hardy critters thrive in a spring that in some spots hits 87 degrees Celsius – just 13 degrees shy of boiling, but still hot enough to pose extreme danger. So as the sun dips past the ridgeline and the sky dims, watch your step and don't slip.
High-temp terraces
Besides these golden-brown tones, the microbial mats surrounding the Grand Prismatic Spring also appear in bright greens, reds and yellows during broad daylight. Should you get a chance to visit this Yellowstone hotspot at sunset, after the buzzing daily crowds thin, the terrace-like layers of microscopic life are still a compelling sight. These tiny yet hardy critters thrive in a spring that in some spots hits 87 degrees Celsius – just 13 degrees shy of boiling, but still hot enough to pose extreme danger. So as the sun dips past the ridgeline and the sky dims, watch your step and don't slip.
Overlapping terraces made up of microbes give an alien look to this Yellowstone landmark.
© Maciej Bledowski / Alamy Stock Photo 2026-09-11 08:45:51 :