It's all thanks to the heat-loving bacteria that call the spring home. Hot springs form when heated water emerges through cracks in the Earth's surface.
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The Grand Prismatic Spring is one of America's more beautiful sites to look at, just don't touch as the boiling heat could likely melt skin from bone, mixing blood red into the deep blue.
The colors of Grand Prismatic Spring come from thermophiles: microbes that thrive in scalding water. The green is chlorophyll they use to absorb sunlight.
The microorganisms present at the Grand Prismatic Spring are mostly extreme thermophilic bacteria and archaea. These non-spore-forming thermophiles thrive at their tolerated temperature ranges.
Let's take a look at a few things NOT to do in Yellowstone National Park: Never approach (or pet) wildlife. Never go into the hot springs. Never leave the bear spray in the car.
Taking a DipThe naturally high temperatures of the spring water make the water unsafe for bathing, so think twice before you dip your toes in. Fortunately, there are other options at the park that make it possible to submerse yourself in the therapeutic waters at a safe temperature.
The Boiling River is one of very few legal swimming and soaking locations in Yellowstone National Park- but it still requires plenty of caution and care. Located where the Gardner River meets the Boiling River Hot Spring, the Boiling River is safe enough to swim in.
Always stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from all other animals, including bison and elk. Hot springs have injured or killed more people in Yellowstone than any other natural feature. Keep your children close and don't let them run.