Vibrant colours disguise hidden dangers in the depth’s of Yellowstone’s hot springs. Despite the deadly temperatures, microbial life still thrives in the boiling, mineral-rich waters. In this episode we look at the mechanisms behind the hot springs and geysers, and how tiny creatures thrive where others dare not go.

Further Reading:
https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/news/hydrothermal-deposits-record-climate-changes-yellowstone

https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/news/hydrothermal-puzzles-lakes-lower-geyser-basin

https://www.jstor.org/stable/4250479

https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/fumaroles.htm

https://www.nps.gov/articles/thermophile-yell.htm

https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/b1444

https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/hot-springs.htm

https://milnepublishing.geneseo.edu/botany/chapter/thermus-aquaticus/

http://www.ncsociology.org/torchmagazine/v931/coppinger.pdf

https://enviro2.doe.gov.my/ekmc/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/1385557763-3-s2.0-B0122268652002704-main.pdf

https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/news/life-in-the-extreme-terrestrial-hot-springs/

https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/thermophiles-in-time-and-space.htm

https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/news/where-pigment-ends-photosynthetic-fringe-and-upper-temperature-limit#news

https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/news/which-more-hazardous-yellowstone-visitors-wildlife-or-hot-springs

Credits:

Intro/Outro music
“Americana” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hydrothermal sound effects:
Yellowstone Sound Library via nps.gov and Artlist.io

General flowing water sound effects:
Ivo Vicic via Artlist.io

Background Research
Kiara Thomas

This episode was produced on Anaiwan land, and we acknowledge that this land was never ceded. We recognise and respect the ongoing culture and community of the Anaiwan people, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including Elders past, present, and emerging. In acknowledging the traditional custodians of our lands, we also acknowledge the First Nations people of the Americas, some of whose ancestral lands are now known as Yellowstone. 27 Tribes have ancestral and modern ties to this land, and we acknowledge their history, and extend our respect to their people and elders also.

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