Yellowstone’s Morning Glory Lake ‘transformed’ into a rainbow color for a reason that no one expected
Morning Glory Lake was named in the 1880s, inspired by the “morning glory” flower – a flower that blooms with a purplish blue color similar to the deep blue of the lake at that time. Historical documents and the first photographs from the late 19th century recorded that Morning Glory was once clear, almost completely pure and clear, with hot water flowing strongly from deep underground to the surface of the lake.
However, color changes gradually appeared from the second half of the 20th century. Yellow, orange, and green colors began to appear and expand, changing the original appearance of Morning Glory. According to research from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the main cause of this change is not natural processes but impacts from tourists.
Morning Glory Lake, seen in an undated historical photo (left) and decades later in 1965 after being contaminated (right).
Consequences of unconscious behavior
Visitors have unintentionally caused significant changes to Morning Glory by throwing trash, coins, and even rocks into the lake. Debris from these objects accumulated at the bottom of the lake, clogging the vent that brought hot water from the ground. This causes the water temperature to decrease, creating conditions for the growth of various bacteria and microorganisms, contributing to the creation of brightly colored microbial mats on the surface of the lake. The proliferation of these microbial mats is an important factor that causes the lake to turn yellow, orange, and green.
A 2015 study found that the different colors of Yellowstone’s hot springs, including Morning Glory, are largely the result of microorganisms living in waters of different temperatures. Cool temperatures at the edge of the lake allow bacteria to thrive, reflecting sunlight and creating a range of vivid colors. But Morning Glory is a special case, because its color change happened so quickly and clearly within just a few decades, mainly due to human intervention.
An old sign and pile of coins in front of Morning Glory Lake in 1950.
Attempts to restore but in vain
Realizing that the color change at Morning Glory was a result of pollution, in the 1970s, Yellowstone National Park rangers began campaigns to clean up the hot pool. They drained part of the water and dredged the lake bottom to remove debris caused by humans. During the cleanup, they discovered countless coins and metal parts from vehicles, along with hats and other personal items belonging to visitors.
Jeff Henry, a former park ranger involved in cleaning up Morning Glory Lake in 1991, said they collected “tons, perhaps thousands of pennies” from the bottom of the lake. Some metal parts may even have come from cars that fell to the bottom of the lake because the park’s main road used to be right next to Morning Glory. Henry shared that there are many other items, such as rocks and hats, that tourists accidentally drop into the lake but have no way to get them back.
Despite regular clean-up efforts over the decades, Morning Glory’s original blue color has not returned as expected. According to the USGS, no one can be certain whether the original color will ever return. “Only time will tell,” they noted.
Morning Glory seen in 1965 after contamination (top left) and in an undated historical photo (bottom right).
Awareness of nature protection – A big challenge
Morning Glory’s transformation is clear evidence of human impact on the natural environment, whether consciously or unconsciously. While Yellowstone’s hot springs are often affected by tourist littering, this problem continues in many other national parks around the world.
A recent example is what happened at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico. Earlier this month, the park had to issue a warning after a guest left a bag of Cheetos in the cave. In a humid environment, the food bag has become a perfect “bacterial nest” for the growth of microorganisms and fungi, affecting the small ecosystem in the cave.
Morning Glory Lake, once a symbol of purity and pristine beauty, has now completely changed due to human negligence. The brilliant beauty that tourists admire today is not a mark of nature but the result of our own intervention.
The story of Morning Glory is a profound reminder that nature is very sensitive and vulnerable to seemingly harmless actions. To protect this natural beauty, each of us needs to be more aware of preserving and respecting natural reserves. Small but practical efforts to protect the environment can help preserve the eternal beauty of natural wonders for future generations.
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