FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Fun Trivia
Home: Questions and Answers Forum
Answers to 100,000 Fascinating Questions
Welcome to FunTrivia's Question & Answer forum!

Search All Questions


Please cite any factual claims with citation links or references from authoritative sources. Editors continuously recheck submissions and claims.

Archived Questions

Goto Qn #


Which type of organisms are responsible for the vibrant colors of the Grand Prismatic Pool in Yellowstone Park?

Question #150323. Asked by BigTriviaDawg.
Last updated Dec 15 2023.
Originally posted Dec 15 2023 9:37 PM.

avatar
psnz star
Answer has 1 vote
psnz star
5 year member
1008 replies avatar

Answer has 1 vote.
Thermophilic (heat loving) organisms.

Yellowstone's Grand Prismatic Spring (aka Rainbow Hot Spring) is characterised by its vibrant colours.

The 1871 Hayden Expedition wrote:
Nothing ever conceived by human art could equal the peculiar vividness and delicacy of color of these remarkable prismatic springs. Life becomes a privilege and a blessing after one has seen and thoroughly felt these incomparable types of nature's cunning skill.

It's all down to colourful heat-loving bacteria. Very hot water cycling from the pool's centre cools as it radiates, producing distinct temperature bands. These separate environments are homes for different bacteria; it is these thermophiles that are responsible for the myriad of colours.

link https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/science-behind-yellowstones-rainbow-hot-spring-180950483/

Response last updated by psnz on Dec 15 2023.
Dec 15 2023, 9:38 PM
free email trivia FREE! Get a new mixed Fun Trivia quiz each day in your email. It's a fun way to start your day!


arrow Your Email Address:

Sign in or Create Free User ID to participate in the discussion

Related FunTrivia Quizzes

play quiz Pool Ball Colors
( Pool)
play quiz Yellowstone National Park
(USA - Parks)
play quiz Yellowstone Park: Big Sky and Amazing Land
(USA - Parks)

Return to FunTrivia
"Ask FunTrivia" strives to offer the best answers possible to trivia questions. We ask our submitters to thoroughly research questions and provide sources where possible. Feel free to post corrections or additions. This is server B184.