While most of us were unwrapping presents on Christmas morning, Yellowstone National Park was busy creating its own gift — a brand-new thermal pool that seemingly materialized out of nowhere in one of the park’s most dynamic areas.
On April 10, 2025, geologists conducting routine maintenance at Norris Geyser Basin stumbled upon something extraordinary: a pristine blue pool, roughly 13 feet across, sitting exactly where empty ground had been just months before. The warm water (a toasty 109°F) glowed with that distinctive light blue color that makes Yellowstone’s thermal features so mesmerizing.
But here’s where the story gets fascinating — this wasn’t your typical kind of Yellowstone eruption that the park is famous for. Instead of one dramatic event, this new feature formed through a series of small, almost sneaky hydrothermal explosions that began on Christmas Day 2024.
The detective work behind the discovery
Scientists used high-resolution satellite imagery to piece together the timeline, creating what amounts to a geological detective story. Images from December 19, 2024, showed nothing unusual. By January 6, 2025, a small depression had appeared. The February 13 image revealed the fully formed pool, complete with the ejected rocks and silica mud that now surround it like nature’s own Christmas wreath.
The park’s new infrasound monitoring station — which can literally “hear” explosions and pinpoint their direction — picked up subtle acoustic signals from the area on December 25, January 15, and February 11. These weren’t the dramatic booms of major hydrothermal explosions, but rather gentle whispers of the earth reshaping itself.
How to see Yellowstone’s newest star
Located in the Porcelain Basin area near an informal landmark called “Tree Island,” this new pool represents something relatively rare: a gradual hydrothermal birth. While Yellowstone is famous for sudden, violent changes — like the well-documented Porkchop Geyser explosion in 1989 — this Christmas creation took a more patient approach.
The pool sits about a foot below ground level, surrounded by rocks up to a foot across and coated with fine-grained, sandy mud that was likely ejected during the formation process. It’s a perfect example of how Yellowstone continues to evolve, sometimes dramatically, sometimes quietly.
Getting There: The new thermal pool is located in Norris Geyser Basin, about 21 miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs. Norris is accessible via the Grand Loop Road and features extensive boardwalks that keep visitors safe while providing excellent viewing opportunities.
Best Viewing Strategy: Head to the Porcelain Basin boardwalk system and look for the area west of Tree Island. The pool’s distinctive blue color and surrounding rocky debris make it relatively easy to spot. Early morning visits often provide the best lighting for photography, with fewer crowds.
What to Bring: Sturdy walking shoes, layers (temperatures can vary dramatically), and a camera with a good zoom lens. The boardwalks provide safe viewing distances, but binoculars can help you appreciate the pool’s details.
Timing Your Visit: Norris Geyser Basin is typically open year-round, weather permitting. Check current park conditions before visiting, as extreme weather can temporarily close access roads.
Note: If you’re wondering if this is why “animals are fleeing” Yellowstone, read more about that here.