The hot and cold journey of silica begins in Yellowstone’s rhyolite and ends in geyser cones, petrified trees, and algae

Rhyolite is the most abundant rock in Yellowstone, and it contains about 75% silica. When it reacts with hot groundwater, much of the silica ends up in the water that emerges from hot springs and geysers. The water cools and evaporates, forming opal that is incorporated into geyser cones, petrified trees, and diatoms.

Rhyolite is the most abundant rock in Yellowstone, and it contains about 75% silica. When it reacts with hot groundwater, much of the silica ends up in the water that emerges from hot springs and geysers. The water cools and evaporates, forming opal that is incorporated into geyser cones, petrified trees, and diatoms. Read More