Minerva Springs and Terrace Facts
- Firstly, Minerva Springs and Terrace forms part of the equally beautiful and famous Mammoth Hot Springs.
- This forms a series of travertine terraces, yet only one of the myriad marvels of geology found in Yellowstone Park.
- In addition, this visually stunning marvel of geology formed within the boundaries of three states in the United States, in North America.
- Terrace Mountain at Mammoth Hot Springs also ranks as the largest known carbonate-depositing spring in the world. The most famous feature at the springs is the Minerva Terrace.
- The terraces have been deposited by the spring over many years, but, due to recent minor earthquake activity, the spring vent has shifted, rendering the terraces dry.
Minerva Springs and Terrace Physical Description
The precise dimension of the breathtaking Minerva Springs and Terrace remains quite impossible to define precisely.
This occurs due to the constantly slightly shifting of its shape due to ongoing geological forces.
The super-heated water, filled with minerals, generally flows slowly over numerous tiered formations.
This creates a rather unique physical appearance at the site.
The terraces themselves formed over extended periods of time due to the deposit of travertine, a form of limestone.
Also, algae found in the water commonly dyes the terraces brown, orange, red and green.
Minerva Springs and Terrace Growth
Roughly 500 gallons (1,893 l) of water flow over the Minerva Springs and Terrace each minute, depositing an estimated 4,000 lb (1,814 kg) of calcium carbonate in various colors every day.
The terraces continue to grow through such deposits. Augmenting its great beauty is the multi-colored nature of the water itself.
Thermal activity here remains extensive both over time and distance. The thermal flows also show much variability with some variations taking place over periods ranging from decades to days.
Finally, this hot spring stays heated by the magma chamber beneath Yellowstone, to a temperature of 170 F (80 C).