Studies have confirmed that the popular thermal pools in the Yellowstone National park have undergone rapid changes in coloration over the last century or so which is mainly contributed by tourists. The park came into existence because of these hot springs in the first place so it can be said that they are the main center of attraction for tourists and therefore have been left at their mercy as well.
Yellowstone is one of the largest parks maintained by the U.S. National Park Service. It stretches across the three states of Wyoming, Idaho and Montana. The park was also America’s first and is under government protection since its inception way back in the last quarter of the 19th century.
It has drawn out large crowds since its very inception, but researchers stated recently that these large crowds have contributed a lot in destabilizing the natural ecosystem of the park.
Researchers stated that the hot springs of Yellowstone owe their natural colors and beauty to the pollution. But excessive human interactions have brought about a rapid change to their colors over time. Even the slightest amount of pollution over the better part of the last century due to visitors has imparted a great change on the coloration of the hot springs in the park.
The rainbow colors now associated with the hot springs of the park can be largely traced to the pollution coming from the tourists and the surrounding atmosphere.
