Tue Oct 08 17:23:46 UTC 2024: ## Tourists’ Debris Dims the Glory of Yellowstone’s Morning Glory Pool
**Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming** – The iconic Morning Glory Pool, renowned for its vibrant colors, has been losing its luster due to a century-old tradition of tourists throwing objects into its waters. Historians and former park workers say the pool’s color change is a result of coins, trash, and stones accumulating at the bottom, altering the water temperature and encouraging the growth of different bacteria.
The pool’s deep areas have reportedly turned green, while the edges have taken on a yellow hue. Jeff Henry, a former ranger at Yellowstone, recounts finding “tons, probably thousands of coins” in the pool, along with car parts and other debris. He attributes this to the pool’s former proximity to the main park road, making it an easy target for tourists.
The problem, however, goes far beyond the mere accumulation of litter. Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, explains that the debris has partially blocked the pool’s conduit, leading to a drop in temperature. This temperature change allows different types of bacteria to thrive, contributing to the altered color.
Park historian Alica Murphy traces the tradition of tossing objects into the pool back to 1872, when the park first opened. Tourists, often believing they could trigger a geothermic event or bring good luck, have consistently added to the pool’s accumulation of debris. “People didn’t understand the plumbing and how geysers worked,” Murphy explains. “There was a misunderstanding of the damage they were doing.”
While the practice of throwing objects into the pool has lessened in recent years, the impact on Morning Glory remains visible. The National Park Service acknowledges the role of human activity in the pool’s color change, stating that the debris has reduced water circulation and lowered the temperature, allowing for the growth of orange and yellow-colored bacteria. The service also notes that natural changes may be contributing to the cooling of the water.
The story of Morning Glory serves as a stark reminder of the unintended consequences of human activity on natural landscapes. While tourists may seek to leave their mark on a beloved park, their actions can have a significant impact on the environment, sometimes causing lasting damage.
First Piper 