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West Thumb
Geyser Basin

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Lakeside Spring

A green trail of algae lines the run-off channel from Lakside Spring.

Lakeside Spring's blue-green pool of thermal water drains into Yellowstone Lake. The colors you see in the pools of West Thumb are created, in part, by what grows in these hot waters. Thermophiles (heat-loving microorganisms) have different colors and different temperature requirements. Generally, green and brown indicate organisms living in cooler water, orange and yellow indicate those living in hotter water.

West Thumb Geyser Basin Tour

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Last Updated: Wednesday, 22-Dec-2004 10:11:43 Eastern Standard Time
http://www.nps.gov /archive/yell/tours/westthumb/lakeside.htm