This geologic map shows the outlines of three large calderas and where Yellowstone Lake is located in relationship to the 631,000-year-old Yellowstone Caldera. The two smaller calderas are older, with the one outlined in purple forming 2.08 million years ago and the smaller one outlined in blue forming 1.3 million years ago.
Credit Lisa Morgan
Yellowstone National Park is famous for its hydrothermal activity. Geysers like Old Faithful and Steamboat have delighted tourists and fascinated scientists for years. But a lot is still unknown about the hydrothermal features that make the park so unique.
Much of the landscape of the park was formed by hydrothermal explosions. These are similar to geysers except that in addition to water and steam, they also spew out pulverized rock and mud from the area, creating large craters that are usually filled with lakes and surrounded by raised rims. This explosion of material leaves an unmistakable fingerprint that researchers can look at to learn
When the Steamboat Geyser at Yellowstone National Park reactivated, a group of researchers led by UC Berkeley geoscientists set out to discover whether the change in geyser activity was a warning sign of an impending volcanic eruption. While the researchers were able to rule out causes related to magma movement, study co-author Mara Reed said the cause of the reactivation remains unanswered. (Photo by Adam Derewecki under Pixabay License
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| UPDATED: 11:58, Fri, Jan 22, 2021
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The caldera inside Yellowstone National Park is dubbed a supervolcano due to its capacity to inflict untold global devastation in the event of a supereruption. It was formed during the last three big events over the past 2.1 million years, with the most recent Lava Creek eruption occurring approximately 630,000 years ago. Located beneath the states of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, the area is constantly monitored by the USGS (United States Geological Survey) for signs that history could repeat itself.
Published 19 January 2021
When Yellowstone National Park’s Steamboat Geyser which shoots water higher than any active geyser in the world reawakened in 2018 after more than three years of dormancy, some speculated that it was a harbinger of possible explosive volcanic eruptions in the surrounding geyser basin. A new study throws cold water on the idea of possible explosive volcanic eruptions in Yellowstone, finding few indications of the underground magma movement that would be a prerequisite to an eruption.
When Yellowstone National Park’s Steamboat Geyser which shoots water higher than any active geyser in the world reawakened in 2018 after more than three years of dormancy, some speculated that it was a harbinger of possible explosive volcanic eruptions in the surrounding geyser basin.
Analysis of Steamboat Geyser finds relationship between column height and reservoir depth
A 2019 eruption of Steamboat Geyser in the Norris Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park.
January 13, 2021
When Yellowstone National Park s Steamboat Geyser which shoots water higher than any active geyser in the world reawakened in 2018 after more than three years of dormancy, some speculated that it was a harbinger of possible explosive volcanic eruptions in the surrounding geyser basin.
These hydrothermal explosions can hurl mud, sand and rocks into the air and release hot steam, endangering lives. Such an explosion on White Island in New Zealand in December 2019 killed 22 people.