Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

News

Filter Total Items: 239
How to cook a Yellowstone rhyolite: One part mantle, one part crust

How to cook a Yellowstone rhyolite: One part mantle, one part crust

The magma that feeds Yellowstone is formed by multiple processes. By studying the chemical composition of elements in rocks from the Yellowstone area...

Read Article
Hot springs, cool beetles: Insects in Yellowstone go to extremes to survive and thrive

Hot springs, cool beetles: Insects in Yellowstone go to extremes to survive and thrive

When people think of animals in Yellowstone, the “charismatic megafauna” usually jump to mind—beasts like elk, bison, wolves, moose, and bears (oh, my...

Read Article
Yellowstone exposed! New elevation map reveals park's complex geologic history

Yellowstone exposed! New elevation map reveals park's complex geologic history


High-resolution topographic data reveal new faults, landslides, hydrothermal systems, and volcanic features never documented before.  Able to see...

Read Article
Long-Period earthquakes in Yellowstone: What do they mean?

Long-Period earthquakes in Yellowstone: What do they mean?

Ever think an earthquake in one place is the same as an earthquake in another? It turns out that the style of an earthquake varies depending on its...

Read Article
Scientists detect rejuvenated uplift near South Sister volcano.

Scientists detect rejuvenated uplift near South Sister volcano.

Using satellite imagery and sophisticated GPS instruments, Cascades Volcano Observatory geophysicists have detected a subtle increase in the rate of...

Read Article
A bicycle trek to Yellowstone—the 1896 ride of the Buffalo Soldiers

A bicycle trek to Yellowstone—the 1896 ride of the Buffalo Soldiers

Many would enjoy the adventure of a bicycle expedition to Yellowstone National Park.  But imagine doing it in 1896, before pavement, lightweight...

Read Article
When in Earth’s history did Yellowstone’s volcanism begin? Let’s look at the calendar to find out.

When in Earth’s history did Yellowstone’s volcanism begin? Let’s look at the calendar to find out.

What were the major events have shaped the Earth and its environment, and when did these events takes place? When did the major volcanic events in...

Read Article
A glimpse into Yellowstone Lake’s past environment

A glimpse into Yellowstone Lake’s past environment

The sediment record contained at the bottom of lakes has proven to be an excellent method to assess how climate has changed over the past thousands of...

Read Article
Better understanding what’s under your feet in hydrothermal areas—neutral to alkaline hot springs edition

Better understanding what’s under your feet in hydrothermal areas—neutral to alkaline hot springs edition

The geyser cones of Yellowstone are made up of material called sinter—a form of silica precipitated from hot water. When looking at the sinter under a...

Read Article
Yellowstone—the year 2021 in review

Yellowstone—the year 2021 in review

It was business as usual in 2021 at Yellowstone—earthquakes, ground deformation, geyser eruptions, and lots of field work! As is tradition, this first...

Read Article
Where the pigment ends: The photosynthetic fringe and the upper temperature limit of photosynthesis

Where the pigment ends: The photosynthetic fringe and the upper temperature limit of photosynthesis

Yellowstone hot springs are renowned for their amazing colors, many of which are created by photosynthetic processes. The colors vary depending on...

Read Article
Why can’t we drill Yellowstone to stop eruptions and make power?

Why can’t we drill Yellowstone to stop eruptions and make power?

Drilling is often suggested as a means of preventing Yellowstone from erupting. It seems like a reasonable idea, but the volcano doesn’t work that way...

Read Article