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West Thumb Geyser Basin
West Thumb Geyser Basin
Written by VacationIdea.com Travel Editors.
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West Thumb Geyser Basin
Insider Guide to Yellowstone
The West Thumb Geyser Basin is located on the western shores of Yellowstone Lake. The basin was formed approximately 150,000 years ago by a large volcanic explosion. The West Thumb caldera (volcanic crater) lies within a larger caldera, which encompasses the central and southern portions of Yellowstone National Park.
Thermal features at the West Thumb Geyser Basin include the Abyss Pool, Twin Geysers, Black Pool, Fishing Cone, Big Cone, Lakeshore Geyser, Lakeside Spring, Seismograph and Bluebell Pools and Thumb Paint Pots.
The pools of West Thumb feature bright colors such as green, brown, orange and yellow, created by heat-loving organisms that live in the pools.
The best way to see the West Thumb Geyser Basin is to follow the ½-mile boardwalk loop, which circles the area and features spectacular views of Yellowstone Lake.
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Written By the Travel Editors at VacationIdea.com, Last Update: Nov 21, 2003