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How ‘good luck’ coins thrown into a hot spring have turned one of nature’s wonders into a lurid hue of green
By Graham Smith
Last updated at 11:17 AM on 8th April 2011
And while the Morning Glory Pool in Wyoming with its stunning colours continues to attract visitors from around the world its appearance has undergone a dramatic change.
Just a few decades ago, the natural hot spring was a distinctive blue colour.
But now it has taken on a deep green hue with a distinct yellow and red ring around its circumference.
Psychedelic wonder: Tourists have for decades been throwing coins into the Morning Glory Pool in Wyoming for luck. These have blocked its heat vents thereby reducing its temperature and causing a chemical reaction
1966: How the hot spring looked 45 years ago before the chemical reaction took place
While still an extraordinary spectacle, the reason for this change is less alluring.
Tourists have for decades been throwing coins into the pool for luck. Unfortunately, these have blocked the pool's heat vents and reduced its temperature.
At the same time, chemicals from the coins have caused a reaction that has caused several bacteria to grow.
These have slowly worked its way to the water's edge, creating the predominantly yellow ring around the pure blue centre which has turned green as a result.
The algae is photosynthetic, thermophilic bacteria that can survive temperatures ranging from 64C to 107C.
