This animation shows a map of of Yellowstone seismicity by year from 2017 through 2023. Earthquakes are red circles, with the circle size indicating earthquake magnitude. Gray lines are roads, black dashed line shows the caldera boundary, Yellowstone National Park is outlined by black dot-dashed line, and gray dashed lines denote state boundaries.
Multimedia
Images
This animation shows a map of of Yellowstone seismicity by year from 2017 through 2023. Earthquakes are red circles, with the circle size indicating earthquake magnitude. Gray lines are roads, black dashed line shows the caldera boundary, Yellowstone National Park is outlined by black dot-dashed line, and gray dashed lines denote state boundaries.
Microscopic view of different groundmass textures in rocks. On the left, this groundmass is a good choice for argon dating, as it consists of abundant interconnected crystals. On the right, the groundmass consists predominantly of glass (black because it does not transmit cross-polarized light) and is a poor choice for argon dating.
Microscopic view of different groundmass textures in rocks. On the left, this groundmass is a good choice for argon dating, as it consists of abundant interconnected crystals. On the right, the groundmass consists predominantly of glass (black because it does not transmit cross-polarized light) and is a poor choice for argon dating.
Mass spectrometer, used to measure the ration of atoms with different masses, in the USGS laboratory at Moffett Field, California
linkA mass spectrometer is used to measure the ratio of atoms with different masses—in this case, the different isotopes of argon gas, which can be used to determine the age of a volcanic rock. Left: a side view of a mass spectrometer at the USGS Argon Geochronology Laboratory in Moffett Field, CA. Right: a close-up view of the sample chamber in this mass spectrometer.
Mass spectrometer, used to measure the ration of atoms with different masses, in the USGS laboratory at Moffett Field, California
linkA mass spectrometer is used to measure the ratio of atoms with different masses—in this case, the different isotopes of argon gas, which can be used to determine the age of a volcanic rock. Left: a side view of a mass spectrometer at the USGS Argon Geochronology Laboratory in Moffett Field, CA. Right: a close-up view of the sample chamber in this mass spectrometer.
Table showing different types of geochronology techniques, the ages over which those techniques are best applied, and the meaning of the ages determined by the techniques.
Table showing different types of geochronology techniques, the ages over which those techniques are best applied, and the meaning of the ages determined by the techniques.
Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation video shows the changes to the landscape from before the May 18, 1980 eruption to today (2024).
Mount St. Helens: Land of Transformation video shows the changes to the landscape from before the May 18, 1980 eruption to today (2024).
History of travertine deposition in Yellowstone caldera and correlation with past climate conditions
linkHistory of travertine deposition in Yellowstone caldera and correlation with past climate conditions. a) The age of travertine samples (based on the U-230Th geochronometer) from Old Hillside Springs, Hillside Springs, North Hillside Springs, and Morning Glory in Upper Geyser Basin and from Firehole Lake in Lower Geyser Basin.
History of travertine deposition in Yellowstone caldera and correlation with past climate conditions
linkHistory of travertine deposition in Yellowstone caldera and correlation with past climate conditions. a) The age of travertine samples (based on the U-230Th geochronometer) from Old Hillside Springs, Hillside Springs, North Hillside Springs, and Morning Glory in Upper Geyser Basin and from Firehole Lake in Lower Geyser Basin.
Videos
Volcanic ash in Kansas? It's true there's thick deposits there, but where are the source volcanoes? Geologists began puzzling over this in the late 1800s when these deposits were first recognized.
Volcanic ash in Kansas? It's true there's thick deposits there, but where are the source volcanoes? Geologists began puzzling over this in the late 1800s when these deposits were first recognized.
If a geyser erupts and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? Of course it does, and now we can hear it no matter when it happens thanks to a new monitoring station in Yellowstone National Park.
If a geyser erupts and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? Of course it does, and now we can hear it no matter when it happens thanks to a new monitoring station in Yellowstone National Park.
Steamboat Geyser is the tallest geyser in the world. It has been putting on a show the last few years for visitors at Yellowstone National Park with a record number of water eruptions, 48 eruptions each in 2019 and 2020. But it's only had eight eruptions in 2023. Is Steamboat losing steam?
Steamboat Geyser is the tallest geyser in the world. It has been putting on a show the last few years for visitors at Yellowstone National Park with a record number of water eruptions, 48 eruptions each in 2019 and 2020. But it's only had eight eruptions in 2023. Is Steamboat losing steam?
Lava flows are one of the coolest (or maybe hottest!) features about volcanoes, but what would a lava flow look like if you could peel away the surface and take a peek underneath?
Lava flows are one of the coolest (or maybe hottest!) features about volcanoes, but what would a lava flow look like if you could peel away the surface and take a peek underneath?
What geologic hazard is most likely to occur in the Yellowstone region on human timescales?
What geologic hazard is most likely to occur in the Yellowstone region on human timescales?
A routine helicopter overflight provided aerial views of Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. The crater floor is covered by solidified lava erupted during the previous summit eruption, earlier this year. Inflation and seismic activity in the summit region indicate ongoing unrest. USGS video by M. Patrick.
A routine helicopter overflight provided aerial views of Halema‘uma‘u crater, at the summit of Kīlauea. The crater floor is covered by solidified lava erupted during the previous summit eruption, earlier this year. Inflation and seismic activity in the summit region indicate ongoing unrest. USGS video by M. Patrick.
Webcams
Live view of the northwest flank of Mauna Loa; the view is from the southeast flank of Hualālai [HLcam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.
Live view of the northwest flank of Mauna Loa; the view is from the southeast flank of Hualālai [HLcam]. This camera is a pan-tilt-zoom model and the view may change depending on activity.