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The Grand Prismatic Spring is a stunning hot spring located within Yellowstone National Park, a vast protected area in the United States known for its geothermal features and diverse wildlife. As one of the park's most iconic attractions, the spring is renowned for its vibrant colors, which are created by pigmented bacteria that thrive in the mineral-rich waters. The Grand Prismatic Spring is situated in a volcanic caldera, making it part of Yellowstone's unique geology. It is the largest hot spring in the United States and the third-largest in the world, with a diameter of over 300 feet and a depth of more than 120 feet. The water temperature at the center of the spring can reach up to 188°F (87°C), making it too hot for any aquatic life to survive. The spring's stunning colors are created by thermophilic bacteria that live in the mineral-rich waters surrounding the hot spring. These bacteria thrive at different temperatures, creating a rainbow of colors ranging from deep blue in the center to bright orange and yellow around the edges. The vivid hues are most visible when viewed from above, making it a popular spot for helicopter tours and aerial photography. As a body of water within Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Prismatic Spring is part of a larger system of geothermal features that include hot springs, geysers, and mud pots. The park's unique geology is due to its location on top of an active volcanic hotspot, which has resulted in a landscape marked by volcanic craters, hydrothermal vents, and mineral-rich soils. In summary, the Grand Prismatic Spring is a breathtaking natural wonder located within Yellowstone National Park. As the largest hot spring in the United States, it is known for its vibrant colors created by thermophilic bacteria and its unique geology as part of a volcanic caldera. Its location within a national park makes it an important part of the larger ecosystem and a must-see destination for visitors to the area.