Two unidentified women are facing widespread criticism after being filmed walking perilously close to the scalding waters of the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park. The incident, captured on video by visitor Tanya Saueressig, occurred around 7 p.m. local time on a Sunday.

The footage shows the women deviating from marked trails and stepping onto the spring's colorful microbial mats, which are formed by heat-loving bacteria. Saueressig expressed alarm, noting the spring's center reaches 188° F and the ground can be a "thin crust with super-heated water below."

Venturing off designated boardwalks and trails is illegal in Yellowstone National Park and can result in penalties. The women appeared to be walking from the Fairy Falls Trail, which runs along the edge of the Grand Prismatic Spring, the third-largest hot spring globally.

Saueressig stated her initial fear for the women's safety turned to fury as she observed them "strolling along, taking their selfies, without a care in the world." She worried about the potential for serious injury or death, as well as the damage their steps could inflict on the fragile ecosystem.

The two women were pictured on the spring's microbial mats, which the National Park Service has warned can be just like 'a thin crust with super-heated water below'

Unable to find a park ranger immediately, Saueressig decided to record the incident in hopes of identifying the individuals and holding them accountable. As of Tuesday night, the women had not been publicly identified.

The National Park Service has reported that over 20 people have died from burns sustained after entering or falling into Yellowstone's hot springs. In a separate incident last year, a bison died at the Grand Prismatic Spring after apparently falling into the water.

The National Park Service has said that more than 20 people have previously died from burns suffered after entering or falling into Yellowstone's hot springs

Yellowstone's thermal areas are described by officials as "among the most dangerous natural features in the world." In March, a visitor was sentenced to five days in jail for walking on hydrothermal features in the Mammoth Hot Springs area, highlighting the legal consequences for such actions. US Attorney Darin Smith cautioned that such behavior could be fatal and emphasized the importance of prosecuting these violations to deter others.