South of Hayden Valley is a place of desolation. It smells of sulphur; so much so, that its vapours can make a person dizzy.
This is an the Mud Volcano area. It is studded with mudpots, fumaroles and hotsprings.
Here is only a small part of the works - the part visible from a viewing platform by the highway.
It did make me think of a description of Hell - how else could one imagine the heat and smell? The only thing missing is fire - that too may come one day.
Yellow colour gives away sulphur; inside the cauldron hot mud splashes towards the surface.
pH here = 1, and yet, there are microorganisms not only able to withstand but actually create such conditions.
With this we are saying good bye to Yellowstone - place of so many wonders and so many different environments. Hopefully we will be able to return one day.
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