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
Animation of annual Yellowstone seismicity 2017-2023
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.
Infographic giving earthquake, deformation, thermal emission, and geyser statistics for the Yellowstone region for the year 2023
linkInfographic giving earthquake, deformation, thermal emission, and geyser statistics for the Yellowstone region for the year 2023. The graphic accompanies the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory 2023 annual report, freely available online athttps://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/cir1524.
Infographic giving earthquake, deformation, thermal emission, and geyser statistics for the Yellowstone region for the year 2023
linkInfographic giving earthquake, deformation, thermal emission, and geyser statistics for the Yellowstone region for the year 2023. The graphic accompanies the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory 2023 annual report, freely available online athttps://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/cir1524.
Front cover of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory 2023 annual report
Front cover of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory 2023 annual report, which includes a summary of earthquake, deformation, and geyser activity, as well as research investigations and other information. The report is freely available online athttps://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/cir1524.
Front cover of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory 2023 annual report, which includes a summary of earthquake, deformation, and geyser activity, as well as research investigations and other information. The report is freely available online athttps://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/cir1524.
Microscopic view of different groundmass textures in rocks
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 of geochronology 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.
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.
Videos
Morning Glory Pool Was Blue? (Yellowstone Monthly Update - July 2024)
The beautiful Morning Glory pool is located near Old Faithful. However, it has changed over time because of people and past climate. But how?
The beautiful Morning Glory pool is located near Old Faithful. However, it has changed over time because of people and past climate. But how?
Swimming Pools at Yellowstone? (Yellowstone Monthly Update - June 2024)
Up until the 1950s, visitors to the Old Faithful area could take a dip. Not at a geyser, but in a real swimming pool. The full story is in this month’s video update.
Up until the 1950s, visitors to the Old Faithful area could take a dip. Not at a geyser, but in a real swimming pool. The full story is in this month’s video update.
Mount St. Helens VS Yellowstone (Yellowstone Monthly Update - May 2024)
Mount St. Helens and Yellowstone are two of the most well-known volcanoes in the United States. They have some pretty obvious differences, but they have some similarities as well. So, just how similar are Mount St. Helens and Yellowstone?
Mount St. Helens and Yellowstone are two of the most well-known volcanoes in the United States. They have some pretty obvious differences, but they have some similarities as well. So, just how similar are Mount St. Helens and Yellowstone?
Ship Wrecked in Yellowstone Lake? (Yellowstone Volcano Monthly Update - April 2024)
Is there a wrecked ship rising out of Yellowstone Lake or is it an April Fool's joke? Watch to learn more!
Is there a wrecked ship rising out of Yellowstone Lake or is it an April Fool's joke? Watch to learn more!
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 (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.
Audio
Steamboat Geyser — Sounds of Yellowstone (ASMR, Sleep, Concentration)
Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the gurgling and bubbly sounds of Steamboat Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. "Steamboat Geyser is the world’s tallest active geyser. It showers watchers and drenches the walkway. Days, months, or years pass between the major eruptions of Steamboat Geyser.
Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the gurgling and bubbly sounds of Steamboat Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. "Steamboat Geyser is the world’s tallest active geyser. It showers watchers and drenches the walkway. Days, months, or years pass between the major eruptions of Steamboat Geyser.
Beryl Spring — Sounds of Yellowstone (ASMR, Sleep, Concentration)
Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of Beryl Spring in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Beryl Spring, in the Gibbon River valley south of Artist's Paintpots, is a complex plumbing system in Yellowstone National Park with a strongly and constantly boiling hot spring pool, and a powerful fumarole just behind the pool.
Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of Beryl Spring in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Beryl Spring, in the Gibbon River valley south of Artist's Paintpots, is a complex plumbing system in Yellowstone National Park with a strongly and constantly boiling hot spring pool, and a powerful fumarole just behind the pool.
Blue Mud Steam Vent — Sounds of Yellowstone (ASMR, Sleep, Concentration)
Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of Blue Mud Steam Vent in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Blue Mud Steam Vent is found within the Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of Blue Mud Steam Vent in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Blue Mud Steam Vent is found within the Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Bridge Near Monument Geyser Basin Trailhead — Sounds of Yellowstone (ASMR, Sleep, Concentration)
linkNeed time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of a flowing river through Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. This audio is from a river below the bridge near the Monument Geyser Trailhead in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Bridge Near Monument Geyser Basin Trailhead — Sounds of Yellowstone (ASMR, Sleep, Concentration)
linkNeed time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of a flowing river through Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. This audio is from a river below the bridge near the Monument Geyser Trailhead in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Cinnamon Spouter — Sounds of Yellowstone (ASMR, Sleep, Concentration)
Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of Cinnamon Spouter in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Cinnamon Spouter is located in the Black Sand Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of Cinnamon Spouter in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Cinnamon Spouter is located in the Black Sand Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Congress Pool — Sounds of Yellowstone (ASMR, Sleep, Concentration)
Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of Congress Pool in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Congress Pool is a mud pool/mud pot located in the Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Need time to concentrate or relax? Then listen to the natural sounds of Congress Pool in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Congress Pool is a mud pool/mud pot located in the Norris Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.