The Terraces at Mammoth

This view of the terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs shows some of the characteristics of these remarkable thermal features. It is evident why they are referred to as terraces and the way in which the hot water, visible in the picture deposits these formations. The extent of them is also evident and the mound in the back shows how much they have been built up over many years (the terraces in the foreground are also at the top of a huge mound). The colors of the algae that grow in the hot water can be seen as well as the line between recently built up areas and areas where some of the vegetation has begun to come back. The bone white of the sinter where no water is seeping and where no algae are growing is seen in the foreground and dead trees killed by the hot water and sulfuric acid can be seen in the background. The mountains in the distance are the Gallatin Mountains of Montana and between them and the terraces lies a valley where the village of Mammoth Hot Springs is found, a National Park village with accommodations, gas and a store. The area is named "mammoth" not for its size but for the bones of mammoths which were found there.