description Emerald Pool Overview
Emerald Pool is a geothermal hot spring in Yellowstone National Park, United States. Its water has a green appearance caused by the interaction of natural light with microorganisms and mineral-rich thermal water, producing color that can vary with temperature and viewing conditions. As a Yellowstone thermal feature, it is part of a protected geothermal environment where visitors must remain on designated routes and avoid entering the water.
help Emerald Pool FAQ
Where is Emerald Pool in Yellowstone?
Emerald Pool is in the Old Faithful area of Yellowstone National Park, within Black Sand Basin. The National Park Service describes it as a large steaming pool surrounded by thin sinter deposits.
Why does Emerald Pool look green?
Its color is linked to the interaction of light with thermophiles and mineral-rich hydrothermal water. The National Park Service notes that the pool was once blue with yellow thermophiles, while cooling has since made the colors less vivid and more orange or murky.
How hot is Emerald Pool?
The National Park Service lists Emerald Pool's average temperature as about 136.3 degrees Fahrenheit, or 58 degrees Celsius. That temperature is dangerous, so visitors must remain on boardwalks and designated trails.
Can visitors swim in Emerald Pool?
No, Emerald Pool is a Yellowstone hydrothermal feature, not a bathing spring. The park warns that hydrothermal water can cause severe burns and requires visitors to stay on designated routes.
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