Thermophiles living in the rust colored channel use iron from Whirligig Geyser's iron rich water for energy and become coated with rust. These chemical users are called "chemotrophs." Temperatures in this rust colored channel are 122-140 degrees Fahrenheit (50-60 degrees Celsius).


Thermophilic algae inhabit the green channel. Like other plants, these algae use green chlorophyll to photosynthesis. The temperature in the green channel is 100-133 degrees Fahrenheit (38-56 degrees Celsius).


Info from the the interpretive sign at this spot