GEOSTATISTICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF FLUID PATHWAY CONNECTION IN HOT SPRING CLUSTERS IN THE LOWER GEYSER BASIN, YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WYOMING

We collected fluid samples from multiple hot springs in the River Group of Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming and had these samples analyzed for major ion concentration. Using the ion concentrations, we analyzed the variation among the samples using ANOVA (analysis of variance) a powerful set of statistical models used to determine if groups or samples are derived from the same population. Lower variations indicate that fluids are from the same sample and thus share fluid flow pathways whereas higher variations indicate isolated fluid flow pathways. Characterization of fluid flow is especially important in Yellowstone National Park for resource management and visitor safety.