Norris Geyser Basin, Geothermal territory in Yellowstone National Park, US.
Norris Geyser Basin is a geothermal territory with two distinct areas: the bare Porcelain Basin and the forested Back Basin. The landscape contains around 193 active geysers spread across both sections.
The area was named after superintendent Philetus W. Norris and shows evidence of continuous thermal activity for over a hundred thousand years. This long geological history has shaped what visitors see today.
The museum here teaches visitors about how geothermal heat shapes the landscape and the science behind hot springs. Learning about these natural processes helps people appreciate what they see around them.
Visitors can explore the area on wooden boardwalks and trails, with the Porcelain Basin section around 1 km long and Back Basin about 2.4 km. The pathways are well marked and bring you close to the active thermal features.
The area holds some of the hottest underground temperatures in the entire park, measured deep below the surface. This extreme heat hidden under the ground makes this one of the most geothermically active places on Earth.
Location: Wyoming
Part of: geothermal areas of Yellowstone
GPS coordinates: 44.72855,-110.70437
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:43
Geysers represent some of the most visible expressions of hydrothermal activity, occurring where underground water reservoirs are heated by magmatic sources. Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming holds more than half of the world's known geysers, including Old Faithful with its reliable eruptions...
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