Born in Gunma Prefecture, Shigenori Ogihara has studied and researched geology and mineralogy since graduating from college -- for over forty years. He is an expert in the hydrothermal alteration of minerals and organic matter, and has conducted field studies of hydrothermal areas around the world, preserving the photographs he takes of geologic strata, rocks, minerals and sediment deposits as survey records. In his unique capacity as an expert/photographer, Ogihara beautifully conveys those wonders to many.
Yellowstone National Park was named the world's first national park in 1872, thus marking its 150th anniversary in 2022. It was also registered as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1978. This geothermal basin in the Rocky Mountains sits atop an underlying magma plume known as a “hotspot”, which makes the area a hotbed of volcanic activity. Its geologic and hydrothermal features, most noted by the many geysers, draw many visitors to the park. Another popular attraction is the wildlife; spotting a wolf, for example, can be a prized moment for a city-dweller.
The hydrothermal features are categorized into types by the amount of water, progressively from top-down 1) hot springs, 2) geysers, 3) mud volcanoes and 4) steam vents.
The park has so much to see from the plentiful hot springs radiantly colored by the resident thermophilic bacteria, to the geysers that suddenly shoot fountains of hot water high above head, and the angry-looking mud volcanoes that spew globs of mud. As someone who normally deals with immobile rocks and land formations, I was constantly amazed by the lively hydrothermal features of Yellowstone National Park. I hope these photos convey to you the wonder of Mother Nature and what a living planet looks like.