Porcelain Basin, Hydrothermal basin in Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States.
Porcelain Basin features milky blue pools and steaming vents saturated with silica, creating a bleached, porcelain-like landscape shaped by mineral deposits and extreme geothermal activity.
Norris Geyser Basin, which contains Porcelain Basin, sits at the intersection of three major faults and has remained one of Yellowstone's most geothermally active regions for thousands of years.
Scientists study the thermophiles and extremophile microorganisms living in Porcelain Basin's acidic waters to gain insights into early life forms and potential applications in medicine and biotechnology research.
Visitors can explore Porcelain Basin via accessible boardwalk loops totaling approximately 1.1 miles (1.8 kilometers), with views from the Norris Geyser Basin Overlook providing a comprehensive perspective of the area.
The basin contains the highest concentration of silica in Yellowstone, with water temperatures often exceeding 200°F (93°C) and pH levels as acidic as 2 to 3 in certain pools.
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