The Hot Springs at Thermopolis, Wyoming

Abstract

At the southern end of the Bighorn Basin there is a great hot spring which presents some notable geologic features and an interesting question as to the source of the hot water. The spring is at the town of Thermopolis, a village and health resort which owes its existence largely to the reputed therapeutic value of the water. The locality is on the bank of Bighorn River, a few miles north of a high range which may be regarded as the southwestern continuation of the Bighorn Mountains. There are several springs, but one of them has by far the greatest volume. They issue from the red beds, here brought to the surface by a prominent local anticline. The present springs and their predecessors-for the region has been one of thermal activity for many centuries-have built extensive terraces of travertine or hot spring deposits similar to some of those in the Yellowstone National Park.