Today, the wilderness setting, extraordinary geothermal features, and relics of a colorful history make Norris a fascinating area to explore. Ranger-naturalist activities can further enrich your visit. Ask at the Museum of the National Park Ranger or the Norris Geyser Basin Museum for more information. Eventually it comes into contact with rocks heated by the magma body laying beneath Yellowstone. If the plumbing channel contains a constriction, the superheated pressurized water flashes into steam, forcing the water above it out and up as a geyser eruption.
Hot springs are features with no plumbing constriction.
Superheated water cools slightly as it reaches the surface, to be replaced by hotter water from deeper sources. This sets up a pattern of water circulation or convection, and the temperature required to set off the chain reaction leading to an eruption is never quite reached. Thus steam pours forth, sometimes as gentle puffs and sometimes as powerful blasts. Mud pots form when acid decomposes or breaks down surrounding rock into clay. This clay mixes with water to form mud of varying consistency and color.