Lion Geyser, Geyser in Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, United States.
Lion Geyser is a hydrothermal feature in Upper Geyser Basin with a large grey cone that rises from a smooth platform of geyserite minerals. The feature erupts as part of an interconnected system with nearby Lioness, Big Cub, and Little Cub geysers that share underground channels.
The geyser was discovered and named during early Yellowstone explorations in the late 1800s as part of a cluster of seven connected hydrothermal features. This complex became one of the park's most recognized geothermal systems as scientists studied the relationships between the eruptions.
Native American peoples held the thermal features in this basin as spiritually significant places long before European explorers arrived. These hot springs shaped their understanding of the land and remain part of how indigenous communities connect to Yellowstone.
Access to the area is via designated boardwalks that keep visitors at a safe distance from the extremely hot water and steam. Wear sturdy shoes and pay attention to posted warnings, as ground temperatures near the geyser can cause serious injury.
During eruptions, the geyser produces a distinctive roaring sound that echoes across the basin and helps distinguish it from the connected geysers nearby. This loud vocalization made it memorable to early visitors and helped explorers identify the feature from a distance.
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