Fountain Paint Pots are part of Lower Geyser Basin in the Firehole
River Drainage. They are what is referred to as mudpots, which form
when there is not enough water to support a geyser or hot spring.
Did you notice that on your way to the paintpots, you went slightly
uphill? That’s because they are on a raised platform, meaning
they can’t as easily access the underground water table as
the geysers to the west.
The formation of mudpots is caused by the following:
1. The underground magma chamber of the Yellowstone volcano heats
up the underground water, causing it to boil.
2. The boiling water rises through the cracks in the rhyolite and
emerges at the surface.
3. Heat loving thermophiles in the water then convert some of the
gases in the water to sulfuric acid.
4. The shortage of water allows the sulfuric acid to accumulate
which, over time, breaks down the rhyolite into a clay called
kaolinite.
5. Minerals in the water (such as iron) change the color of the
clay because of the bubbling action of the paintpots.
Logging requirements:
Send me an email with answers to these questions:
1. According to the sign at the given coordinates, what was
Fountain Paint Pots originally called, and when was its name
changed?
2. According to the sign, what are the 6 ingredients for
mudpots?
3. How runny/sticky was Fountain Paint Pots during your visit? How
does that correspond with the season you visited them in?
Please Note:
1. You must answer all the questions in your email to me.
2. Your logging this cache and sending me the email should happen
at around the same time.
3. Begin your email with the name and geocaching code of this
Earthcache, your name(s), and the number of people in your
group.
Failure to comply with the above will result in your log being
deleted!
The above information was compiled from the
following sources:
- Fritz, William J., Roadside Geology of the
Yellowstone Country, Mountain Press Publishing Company, May
1989.
- NPS Informational Panel
Placement approved by
Yellowstone National Park