Mammoth Terraces © 2010 Bo Mackison

The terraces in the Mammoth area of Yellowstone National Park descend like huge stair steps. Even the site of the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and the other town buildings are sitting on the top of a travertine terrace, one that is several thousand years old.

Located on the Main Terrace is Canary Springs, a part of which you see in the photograph. The brownish areas of the springs have microorganisms growing in the hot water and that causes the colors, often yellow, green, or reddish brown.