The large HTHH volcanic explosion created fast low-frequency pressure waves that penetrated about 3.1 miles/5 kilometers into the shallow crust (shown in yellow). Wind and small explosions (shown in blue) create shorter pressure waves that only penetrate down about 328 feet/100 meters.
Images
Images described and linked on this webpage come from a wide variety of USGS science activities and presentations performed by USGS Science Center staff members in the Region 7: Upper Colorado Basin. A search tool is provided to narrow the number of image files shown.
The large HTHH volcanic explosion created fast low-frequency pressure waves that penetrated about 3.1 miles/5 kilometers into the shallow crust (shown in yellow). Wind and small explosions (shown in blue) create shorter pressure waves that only penetrate down about 328 feet/100 meters.
The waveforms of the ground motion recording and the pressure sensor recording from a station with both types of instruments (see second image above) match up, indicating that the pressure waves are causing the ground (crust) to deflect.
The waveforms of the ground motion recording and the pressure sensor recording from a station with both types of instruments (see second image above) match up, indicating that the pressure waves are causing the ground (crust) to deflect.
A Piper Navajo fixed-wing aircraft with rear facing stinger magnetometer. Credit: New-Sense Geophysics Limited
A Piper Navajo fixed-wing aircraft with rear facing stinger magnetometer. Credit: New-Sense Geophysics Limited
An AS350 helicopter with forward facing stinger magnetometer. Credit: New-Sense Geophysics Limited
An AS350 helicopter with forward facing stinger magnetometer. Credit: New-Sense Geophysics Limited
Bear Lake, Colorado is a high alpine lake near tree line that is affected by regional to local fires and vegetation changes.
Bear Lake, Colorado is a high alpine lake near tree line that is affected by regional to local fires and vegetation changes.
Map showing helicopter survey area and near Granby, Colo. Surveys will not occur directly above populated areas. Black circle indicates study area.
Map showing helicopter survey area and near Granby, Colo. Surveys will not occur directly above populated areas. Black circle indicates study area.
Helicopter conducting low-level flights. Image courtesy Sander Geophysics Ltd.
Helicopter conducting low-level flights. Image courtesy Sander Geophysics Ltd.
![Loch Vale weather and precipitation sampling station in Rocky Mountain National Park](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/Image%201_1.jpg?itok=OhOopVyw)
USGS Scientist Jill Baron at Loch Vale weather and precipitation sampling station in Rocky Mountain National Park
linkLoch Vale is one of 250 sites in the National Atmospheric Deposition Program/National Trends Network (NADP/NTN). Precipitation samples are collected weekly to present local and national data of pollutants and other chemicals in rain and snow since 1978.
USGS Scientist Jill Baron at Loch Vale weather and precipitation sampling station in Rocky Mountain National Park
linkLoch Vale is one of 250 sites in the National Atmospheric Deposition Program/National Trends Network (NADP/NTN). Precipitation samples are collected weekly to present local and national data of pollutants and other chemicals in rain and snow since 1978.
This image shows a male bighorn sheep with large horns.
This image shows a male bighorn sheep with large horns.
Male (ram - left) and female (ewe) bighorn sheep outside of Yellowstone National Park.
Male (ram - left) and female (ewe) bighorn sheep outside of Yellowstone National Park.
![Tegus surviving in snow](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/Picture1.png?itok=t_cbqiDM)
Argentine black and white tegus (Salvator merianae) can survive the winter under semi-natural conditions well beyond their current invasive range.
Argentine black and white tegus (Salvator merianae) can survive the winter under semi-natural conditions well beyond their current invasive range.
USGS scientist assesses debris flow in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado. This post-wildfire debris flow follows the 2020 Grizzly Creek Fire.
USGS scientist assesses debris flow in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado. This post-wildfire debris flow follows the 2020 Grizzly Creek Fire.
Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado. In the summer of 2021, travelers in Colorado's Glenwood Canyon were safely evacuated before massive debris flows buried highways and destroyed bridges, thanks to a debris flow warning system developed in part by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado. In the summer of 2021, travelers in Colorado's Glenwood Canyon were safely evacuated before massive debris flows buried highways and destroyed bridges, thanks to a debris flow warning system developed in part by the U.S. Geological Survey.
The Grizzly Creek Fire initiated in August 2020, and widespread destructive debris flow activity followed the during the summer of 2021. This image shows damage from the summer 2021 debris flow in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado.
The Grizzly Creek Fire initiated in August 2020, and widespread destructive debris flow activity followed the during the summer of 2021. This image shows damage from the summer 2021 debris flow in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado.
![Debris flow in Glenwood Canyon during the summer of 2021.](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/IMG_2776.jpeg?itok=LUfopQiv)
Debris flow in Glenwood Canyon during the summer of 2021. This event followed the 2020 Grizzly Creek Fire in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado.
Debris flow in Glenwood Canyon during the summer of 2021. This event followed the 2020 Grizzly Creek Fire in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado.
![Scientists assess post wildfire debris flow following the 2020 Grizzly Creek fire](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/IMG_2224_0.jpeg?itok=FjDKCwyt)
Scientists assess post wildfire debris flow following the 2020 Grizzly Creek fire.
Scientists assess post wildfire debris flow following the 2020 Grizzly Creek fire.
![Vehicles drive on Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/masonry/public/media/images/IMG_2479.jpeg?itok=IK6PgUW8)
Vehicles drive on interstate I-70 in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado. In the summer of 2021, travelers in Colorado's Glenwood Canyon were safely evacuated before massive debris flows buried highways and destroyed bridges, thanks to a debris flow warning system developed in part by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Vehicles drive on interstate I-70 in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado. In the summer of 2021, travelers in Colorado's Glenwood Canyon were safely evacuated before massive debris flows buried highways and destroyed bridges, thanks to a debris flow warning system developed in part by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Photo looking downstream from the Pack Creek Road Bridge shows the rain gage on top with a USGS sticker. Below is a solar panel for power. The other white round object contains the data logger and satellite antenna.
Photo looking downstream from the Pack Creek Road Bridge shows the rain gage on top with a USGS sticker. Below is a solar panel for power. The other white round object contains the data logger and satellite antenna.
Rain gauge installed in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado. After the 2020 Grizzly Creek fire, scientists installed a network of rain gauges and soil moisture sensors throughout the rugged burn area. These instruments provide real-time data on rainfall intensity and duration, which are critical factors in determining the likelihood of a debris flow.
Rain gauge installed in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado. After the 2020 Grizzly Creek fire, scientists installed a network of rain gauges and soil moisture sensors throughout the rugged burn area. These instruments provide real-time data on rainfall intensity and duration, which are critical factors in determining the likelihood of a debris flow.
Rain gauge in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado. After the 2020 Grizzly Creek fire, scientists installed a network of rain gauges and soil moisture sensors throughout the rugged burn area. These instruments provide real-time data on rainfall intensity and duration, which are critical factors in determining the likelihood of a debris flow.
Rain gauge in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado. After the 2020 Grizzly Creek fire, scientists installed a network of rain gauges and soil moisture sensors throughout the rugged burn area. These instruments provide real-time data on rainfall intensity and duration, which are critical factors in determining the likelihood of a debris flow.
Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi) is a federally listed threatened species. Ninety-seven percent of their range are small headwater streams in the Great Basin of North America.
Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi) is a federally listed threatened species. Ninety-seven percent of their range are small headwater streams in the Great Basin of North America.