Our next stop was called "Mud Volcano". It should have been called "Hades". Steam rose from dozens of fissures. The air was perfumed with hydrogen sulfide. Anyone who has ever smelled a natural gas leak (or a flatulent sibling) knows what I'm talking about.
Microorganisms feed on the hydrogen sulfide and excrete sulfuric acid. The acid dissolves rock. Add water, and you've got a bubbling, spitting, stinking, steaming pot of mud. Awesome!
Today, much of the activity depends on the amount of water available. In the dry season, these mud pots are fumaroles (steam only). In the wet season, they morph into spitting mud pits.
Mud VolcanoHere are the remnants of a once-active mud volcano. In 1870, explorers watched as it rocketed mud into the treetops.
Churning CauldronAs you stand here, you receive a noisy, stinky, steaming facial. Free of charge.
Black Dragon's Caldron
In 1948, this area was a quiet forest. All of a sudden the area exploded into a giant mudpot. For decades, it spewed black mud ten to twenty feet into the air. It's been docile for some time, but one never knows when it will erupt once again.
Sizzling Basin
I love the artist's palette of bright colors.
The chemicals and heat create an environment rife with exotic plants and bacteria.
This mess is called "Mud Geyser". It was discovered in the 1800s, and belched muddy water fifty feet high every few hours. In 1927, it mysteriously quit. The area has been in a constant state of adjustment ever since. Today it hisses steam and stench. Tomorrow, who knows?
In 1978, this area was a simple forested hillside. The area was shaken by an earthquake. People began to notice a lot of strange activity happening. The ground became super-heated. Trees heaved up and fell over. The entire area hissed with steam. They've since renamed it "Cooking Hillside".
Dragon's Mouth Spring
The name of this feature is derived from the sound the water makes as it roils and splashes against the back wall. The constant curl of steam adds to the sinister effect.
Sulfur Cauldron
Just down the road from the Mud Volcano lies the overlook for Sulfur Cauldron. With a pH of one, it's nearly as acidic as battery acid, and ten times more acidic than lemon juice. Amazingly, the pool is alive with acid-loving microorganisms.
Still think vinegar is going to kill all the germs on your countertop?
Black Dragon's CaldronIn 1948, this area was a quiet forest. All of a sudden the area exploded into a giant mudpot. For decades, it spewed black mud ten to twenty feet into the air. It's been docile for some time, but one never knows when it will erupt once again.
Sizzling BasinI love the artist's palette of bright colors.
The chemicals and heat create an environment rife with exotic plants and bacteria.
This mess is called "Mud Geyser". It was discovered in the 1800s, and belched muddy water fifty feet high every few hours. In 1927, it mysteriously quit. The area has been in a constant state of adjustment ever since. Today it hisses steam and stench. Tomorrow, who knows?
In 1978, this area was a simple forested hillside. The area was shaken by an earthquake. People began to notice a lot of strange activity happening. The ground became super-heated. Trees heaved up and fell over. The entire area hissed with steam. They've since renamed it "Cooking Hillside".
Dragon's Mouth SpringThe name of this feature is derived from the sound the water makes as it roils and splashes against the back wall. The constant curl of steam adds to the sinister effect.
Sulfur CauldronJust down the road from the Mud Volcano lies the overlook for Sulfur Cauldron. With a pH of one, it's nearly as acidic as battery acid, and ten times more acidic than lemon juice. Amazingly, the pool is alive with acid-loving microorganisms.
Still think vinegar is going to kill all the germs on your countertop?
