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Man smirks with "Volcanoes in Kansas?" on top of a U.S. map with volcanic eruption in the background. Kansas covered in ash? Yellowstone's aftermath (Yellowstone Volcano Update - March 2024)
Kansas covered in ash? Yellowstone's aftermath (Yellowstone Volcano Update - March 2024)
Kansas covered in ash? Yellowstone's aftermath (Yellowstone Volcano Update - March 2024)

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. 

Whisper or Roar? No more secrets Whisper or Roar? No More Secrets (Yellowstone Volcano Update - Feb 2024)
Whisper or Roar? No More Secrets (Yellowstone Volcano Update - Feb 2024)
Whisper or Roar? No More Secrets (Yellowstone Volcano Update - Feb 2024)

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. Losing Steam? Steamboat: Losing steam?
Steamboat: Losing steam?
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? 

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? 

View of steep lava mountain with title text and description. Lava Onion? Lava flows - peeling back the layers (Yellowstone Volcano Update - November 2023)
Lava Onion? Lava flows - peeling back the layers (Yellowstone Volcano Update - November 2023)
Lava Onion? Lava flows - peeling back the layers (Yellowstone Volcano Update - November 2023)

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?

BIG EARTHQUAKE vs. BIG ERUPTION - Which is more likely at Yellowstone? Yellowstone Volcano Update — August 2023: MONUMENT TO A TRAGEDY. The origin of Hebgen Lake
Yellowstone Volcano Update — August 2023: MONUMENT TO A TRAGEDY. The origin of Hebgen Lake
Color photograph of caldera May 23, 2023 — Routine overflight of Kīlauea summit
May 23, 2023 — Routine overflight of Kīlauea summit
May 23, 2023 — Routine overflight of Kīlauea summit

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.

Mitigating Hazards at Cascade Range Volcanoes
Mitigating Hazards at Cascade Range Volcanoes
Mitigating Hazards at Cascade Range Volcanoes

The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens was monumental in so many different ways. It had a huge impact on the geography of southwestern Washington, ash affected many people, lives were lost, and lessons were learned. The eruption also led to the creation of the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, Washington.

The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens was monumental in so many different ways. It had a huge impact on the geography of southwestern Washington, ash affected many people, lives were lost, and lessons were learned. The eruption also led to the creation of the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory in Vancouver, Washington.

CVO Monitoring Program: Keeping an Eye on Cascade Volcanoes
CVO Monitoring Program: Keeping an Eye on Cascade Volcanoes
CVO Monitoring Program: Keeping an Eye on Cascade Volcanoes

The good news is that volcanoes usually change behavior before they erupt, in ways that are detectable by monitoring instruments.

The good news is that volcanoes usually change behavior before they erupt, in ways that are detectable by monitoring instruments.

Volcano Hazard Maps: Past, Present, and Future
Volcano Hazard Maps: Past, Present, and Future
Volcano Hazard Maps: Past, Present, and Future

Throughout most of human existence, we haven't known much about how volcanoes work. Because of their immense power, they have terrified and fascinated us, and remain places of great spiritual importance for many people. The lack of knowledge about volcanoes has sometimes resulted in tragic and deadly disasters.

Throughout most of human existence, we haven't known much about how volcanoes work. Because of their immense power, they have terrified and fascinated us, and remain places of great spiritual importance for many people. The lack of knowledge about volcanoes has sometimes resulted in tragic and deadly disasters.

From Millennia to Minutes: Life Cycles of Volcanoes and Eruptions
From Millennia to Minutes: Life Cycles of Volcanoes and Eruptions
From Millennia to Minutes: Life Cycles of Volcanoes and Eruptions

Arc volcanoes often show evidence for new magma coming from the lower crust and interacting with old magma in the shallow crustal storage system.

Arc volcanoes often show evidence for new magma coming from the lower crust and interacting with old magma in the shallow crustal storage system.