Norris Geyser Basin

Norris Geyser Basin is the hottest, oldest, and most dynamic of Yellowstone's thermal areas. The highest temperature yet recorded in any geothermal area in Yellowstone was measured in a scientific drill hole at Norris: 459°F (237°C) just 1,087 feet (326 meters) below the surface! There are very few thermal features at Norris under the boiling point (199°F at this elevation).

Norris shows evidence of having had thermal features for at least 115,000 years. The features in the basin change daily, with frequent disturbances from seismic activity and water fluctuations. The vast majority of the waters at Norris are acidic, including acid geysers which are very rare. Steamboat Geyser, the tallest geyser in the world at 300–400 feet (91–122 m) and Echinus Geyser (pH 3.5 or so) are the most popular features.

The basin consists of two areas: Porcelain Basin and the Back Basin. Porcelain Basin is barren of trees and provides a sensory experience in sound, color, and smell; a 3/4-mile (1.2-km) bare ground and boardwalk trail accesses this area. Back Basin is more heavily wooded with features scattered throughout the area. A 1.5-mile (2.4-km) trail of boardwalks and bare ground encircles this part of the basin.

The area was named after Philetus W. Norris, the second superintendent of Yellowstone, who provided the first detailed information about the thermal features.

Above Norris Geyser Basin
Thee view from the Norris Geyser Basin Museum in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming on September 22, 2019 by Michael Mroczek. Photographed with a Fujifilm X-Pro2 and XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS lens at 48.4 mm | ƒ / 9.0 | 1/110 sec.
Entering The Norris Geyser Basin
Entering The Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming on September 22, 2019 by Victoria Mroczek. Photographed with a Fujifilm X-T10 and XF23mmF1.4 R lens at 23 mm | ƒ / 5.6 | 1/350 sec.

Dead Pines
Dead Pines in the Norris Geyser Basin Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming on September 22, 2019 by Michael Mroczek. Photographed with a Fujifilm X-Pro2 and XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS lens at 48.4 mm | ƒ / 8.0 | 1/100 sec.
Colloidal Pool
Colloidal Pool in Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming on September 22, 2019 by Michael Mroczek. Photographed with a Fujifilm X-Pro2 and XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS lens at 22.3 mm | ƒ / 8.0 | 1/110 sec.

Tree Stump In Colloidal Pool
Tree Stump In Colloidal Pool in Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming on September 22, 2019 by Michael Mroczek. Photographed with a Fujifilm X-Pro2 and XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS lens at 34.3 mm | ƒ / 5.6 | 1/140 sec.
Collodial Pool
Collodial Pool in the Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming on September 22, 2019 by Victoria Mroczek. Photographed with a Fujifilm X-T10 and XF23mmF1.4 R lens at 23 mm | ƒ / 5.6 | 1/450 sec.

Tree Stump In Colloidal Pool
Tree Stump In Colloidal Pool in Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming on September 22, 2019 by Victoria Mroczek. Photographed with a Fujifilm X-T10 and XF23mmF1.4 R lens at 23 mm | ƒ / 5.6 | 1/220 sec.
Dead Tree In Colloidal Pool
Dead Tree In Colloidal Pool in Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming on September 22, 2019 by Michael Mroczek. Photographed with a Fujifilm X-Pro2 and XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS lens at 40.7 mm | ƒ / 5.6 | 1/150 sec.

Geothermal Vents Along A Ridge
Geothermal vents along a ridge in the Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming on September 22, 2019 by Michael Mroczek. Photographed with a Fujifilm X-Pro2 and XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS lens at 32.9 mm | ƒ / 5.6 | 1/300 sec.
Bacteria Mats
Bacteria mats in the Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming on September 22, 2019 by Michael Mroczek. Photographed with a Fujifilm X-Pro2 and XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS lens at 35.8 mm | ƒ / 5.6 | 1/210 sec.
Hot Springs
Numerous hot springs and chemical pools dominate the Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming on September 22, 2019 by Michael Mroczek. Photographed with a Fujifilm X-Pro2 and XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS lens at 18 mm | ƒ / 5.6 | 1/240 sec.

Bacteria Mats
Bacteria mats in the Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming on September 22, 2019 by Michael Mroczek. Photographed with a Fujifilm X-Pro2 and XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS lens at 35.8 mm | ƒ / 5.6 | 1/280 sec.
Whale's Mouth
Whale's mouth in the Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming on September 22, 2019 by Michael Mroczek. Photographed with a Fujifilm X-Pro2 and XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS lens at 26.5 mm | ƒ / 5.6 | 1/100 sec.

Park Visitors On A Boardwalk

Crackling Lake
Crackling Lake in the Norris Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming on September 22, 2019 by Victoria Mroczek. Photographed with a Fujifilm X-T10 and XF23mmF1.4 R lens at 23 mm | ƒ / 5.6 | 1/640 sec.