Ear Spring, Hot spring in Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, US
This hot spring is located in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park with water temperatures exceeding 93°C (198°F). It sits near Old Faithful amid numerous other geothermal features that define the landscape.
The spring experienced a major eruption in 2018 that shot water 9 meters (30 feet) high and released items visitors had deposited over many decades. This event showed how dynamic and unpredictable the geothermal activity in this area can be.
The spring's name comes from its distinctive shape resembling an ear. Visitors can observe the basin's form directly and see why the unusual name makes sense.
Visitors reach the spring by following designated wooden boardwalks through the Upper Geyser Basin that maintain safe distances from the scalding waters. The paths are clearly marked, but the water is extremely hot and the ground can be slippery, especially in wet conditions.
The 2018 eruption caused significant changes to the bacterial mats that grew as colored films around the spring. At the same time, new geothermal structures formed beneath the boardwalks, reshaping the area.
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