White Dome Geyser

White Dome Geyser is a geyser in Yellowstone's Lower Geyser Basin featuring a distinctive cone-shaped mineral deposit that rises above the ground. Water shoots upward to approximately 30 feet (9 m) during eruptions lasting about 2 minutes, with steam and spray mixing together in the spray.

The geyser formed gradually through mineral deposition from hot water and has shaped the landscape of the Lower Geyser Basin for centuries. Its consistent activity has made it a recognizable feature that drew the attention of early park visitors and scientists exploring geothermal systems.

Scientists discovered Thermus aquaticus bacteria near White Dome Geyser, leading to advances in DNA research through polymerase chain reaction procedures.

The geyser can be reached from Firehole Lake Drive and erupts at unpredictable intervals ranging from minutes to hours. Visitors should be prepared to wait and remain flexible with their time, as eruption timing is not guaranteed and patience is essential.

The geyser exhibits a distinctive pattern where water first spurts upward in preliminary bursts before a full eruption takes place. This warm-up phase sometimes allows visitors to anticipate when the main event will occur and position themselves accordingly.