Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, describes activity at Yellowstone in this monthly update for August 1, 2022.
Michael Poland
Mike Poland is a research geophysicist with the Cascades Volcano Observatory and the current Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory.
Mike's area of specialization is volcano geodesy, which emphasizes the surface deformation and gravity fields associated with volcanic activity. This work involves the use of space-based technologies, like Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), as well as ground-based techniques, like microgravity surveys. Mike has taken part in studies on a variety of volcanic systems in the United States, including Mount St. Helens and other volcanoes of the Pacific Northwest, Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes in Hawaii, and the Yellowstone caldera. His recent work has focused on using gravity change over time to understand the character of the fluids that drive volcanic unrest, and also on the potential of satellite data to improve forecasts of future changes in volcanic activity.
Science and Products
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Monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano for August 1, 2022 from Mammoth Hot Springs
Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, describes activity at Yellowstone in this monthly update for August 1, 2022.
Monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano for July 2022
Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, describes activity at Yellowstone volcano in this monthly update for July 1, 2022.
Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, describes activity at Yellowstone volcano in this monthly update for July 1, 2022.
Front cover of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory’s Volcano and Earthquake Monitoring Plan for the Yellowstone Caldera System, 2022–2032
linkFront cover of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory’s Volcano and Earthquake Monitoring Plan for the Yellowstone Caldera System, 2022–2032.
SNOTEL and streamgage sites in and around Yellowstone National Park
Map of SNOTEL snowpack telemetry sites (blue dots) and streamgages (red dots) in and around Yellowstone National Park.
Map of SNOTEL snowpack telemetry sites (blue dots) and streamgages (red dots) in and around Yellowstone National Park.
Yellowstone River level and discharge during June 9–16, 2022, at Corwin Springs streamgage north of Yellowstone National Park
linkYellowstone River level (left) and discharge (right) during June 9–16, 2022, measured at the Corwin Springs streamgage just north of Yellowstone National Park (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/uv/?site_no=06191500&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060,00010). The
Yellowstone River level and discharge during June 9–16, 2022, at Corwin Springs streamgage north of Yellowstone National Park
linkYellowstone River level (left) and discharge (right) during June 9–16, 2022, measured at the Corwin Springs streamgage just north of Yellowstone National Park (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/uv/?site_no=06191500&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060,00010). The
Panoramic image of Valles Caldera, New Mexico
Panoramic image of Valles Caldera, New Mexico, looking at the Valle Grande, part of the calderas “moat.” The resurgent dome is the high topography at the left side of the image, while the hills at the center and right are lava domes. USGS photo by Mike Poland, June 10, 2022.
Panoramic image of Valles Caldera, New Mexico, looking at the Valle Grande, part of the calderas “moat.” The resurgent dome is the high topography at the left side of the image, while the hills at the center and right are lava domes. USGS photo by Mike Poland, June 10, 2022.
Panoramic image of the Sulphur Springs thermal area in Valles Caldera, New Mexico
Panoramic image of the Sulphur Springs thermal area in Valles Caldera, New Mexico. The altered surface, composed of clays, strongly resembles acid-sulfate thermal areas in Yellowstone National Park, like the Mud Volcano region. USGS photo by Mike Poland, June 10, 2022.
Panoramic image of the Sulphur Springs thermal area in Valles Caldera, New Mexico. The altered surface, composed of clays, strongly resembles acid-sulfate thermal areas in Yellowstone National Park, like the Mud Volcano region. USGS photo by Mike Poland, June 10, 2022.
The Bandelier Tuff near Los Alamos, New Mexico
The Bandelier Tuff near Los Alamos, New Mexico. The Jemez Mountains, home to the Valles and Toledo calderas where the tuff originated, rise in the distance. The tuff was hot and thick when it was deposited by caldera-forming eruptions 1.61 and 1.25 million years ago, and so it is welded in places, forming a dense and resistant rock. USGS photo by M
The Bandelier Tuff near Los Alamos, New Mexico. The Jemez Mountains, home to the Valles and Toledo calderas where the tuff originated, rise in the distance. The tuff was hot and thick when it was deposited by caldera-forming eruptions 1.61 and 1.25 million years ago, and so it is welded in places, forming a dense and resistant rock. USGS photo by M
YVO monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano for June 2022
This monthly video update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano comes to you from Mammoth Hot Springs, in Yellowstone National Park, where the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory consortium had its first face-to-face meeting in four years.
This monthly video update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano comes to you from Mammoth Hot Springs, in Yellowstone National Park, where the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory consortium had its first face-to-face meeting in four years.
Scientists install a semipermanent GPS station in Yellowstone National Park
Scientists install a semipermanent GPS station in Yellowstone National Park. These stations, which are not radio-telemetered, are typically installed in May and recovered in October, when the data are downloaded and processed. These stations help to supplement the continuous GPS network in the Yellowstone area.
Scientists install a semipermanent GPS station in Yellowstone National Park. These stations, which are not radio-telemetered, are typically installed in May and recovered in October, when the data are downloaded and processed. These stations help to supplement the continuous GPS network in the Yellowstone area.
YVO monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano, May 1, 2022
Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, talks about Yellowstone’s recent earthquakes, trends in ground deformation, and Steamboat Geyser activity in this video update of May 1, 2022.
Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, talks about Yellowstone’s recent earthquakes, trends in ground deformation, and Steamboat Geyser activity in this video update of May 1, 2022.
Monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano (April 1, 2022)
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Mike Poland talks about a recent earthquake swarm in Yellowstone National Park, trends in ground deformation, and water eruptions at Steamboat Geyser, in this video update of recent activity (April 1, 2022).
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Mike Poland talks about a recent earthquake swarm in Yellowstone National Park, trends in ground deformation, and water eruptions at Steamboat Geyser, in this video update of recent activity (April 1, 2022).
Monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano for March 2022
Happy 150th birthday to Yellowstone National Park! The Park is truly a wonderland, and a place of continuous inspiration and learning. Listen, as Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Mike Poland recounts some of its unique history and provides an update of recent earthquakes, ground deformation, and geyser activity.
Happy 150th birthday to Yellowstone National Park! The Park is truly a wonderland, and a place of continuous inspiration and learning. Listen, as Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Mike Poland recounts some of its unique history and provides an update of recent earthquakes, ground deformation, and geyser activity.
Plot comparing caldera deformation
Vertical deformation measured at three caldera systems: Yellowstone, Wyoming (red), Long Valley, California (green), and Campi Flegrei, Italy (blue). Triangles show data collected by leveling, and circles by GPS. All three calderas have gone up and down over time, but the scale of change at Campi Flegrei dwarfs that at Long Valley and Yellowstone.
Vertical deformation measured at three caldera systems: Yellowstone, Wyoming (red), Long Valley, California (green), and Campi Flegrei, Italy (blue). Triangles show data collected by leveling, and circles by GPS. All three calderas have gone up and down over time, but the scale of change at Campi Flegrei dwarfs that at Long Valley and Yellowstone.
Monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano for Jan 2022
This monthly update from the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory begins with a story.
This monthly update from the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory begins with a story.
Recap of Yellowstone's 2021 activity and December's monthly update
Before we get into what happened during the month of December 2021, let’s review what happened at Yellowstone over the past year.
Before we get into what happened during the month of December 2021, let’s review what happened at Yellowstone over the past year.
Seismicity in the Yellowstone region during 2021
Map of seismicity (red circles) in the Yellowstone region during 2021. 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.
Map of seismicity (red circles) in the Yellowstone region during 2021. 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.
Yellowstone's ups and downs explained in this monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano (December 1, 2021)
linkSome people have characterized the seasonal rise and fall of Yellowstone as being like breathing. During the summer there is a little pause in the overall trend of subsidence and sometimes even a short episode of slight uplift. The trend reverses in early winter.
Yellowstone's ups and downs explained in this monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano (December 1, 2021)
linkSome people have characterized the seasonal rise and fall of Yellowstone as being like breathing. During the summer there is a little pause in the overall trend of subsidence and sometimes even a short episode of slight uplift. The trend reverses in early winter.
November (2021) Yellowstone Volcano
The November 2021 YVO Yellowstone Volcano update comes to you from a very snowy Norris Geyser Basin with a story about Porkchop Geyser’s 1989 explosion.
The November 2021 YVO Yellowstone Volcano update comes to you from a very snowy Norris Geyser Basin with a story about Porkchop Geyser’s 1989 explosion.
View of White Mountain from the Sunlight Basin Road
A view of White Mountain -- a deposit of the Heart Mountain detachment -- from the Sunlight Basin Road in Wyoming. Much of the evidence supporting the lamprophyre diatreme triggering mechanism theory for the landslide was gathered at White Mountain.
A view of White Mountain -- a deposit of the Heart Mountain detachment -- from the Sunlight Basin Road in Wyoming. Much of the evidence supporting the lamprophyre diatreme triggering mechanism theory for the landslide was gathered at White Mountain.
Michael Poland
Photograph of Michael Poland, geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey and Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory.
Photograph of Michael Poland, geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey and Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 132
Monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano for August 1, 2022 from Mammoth Hot Springs
Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, describes activity at Yellowstone in this monthly update for August 1, 2022.
Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, describes activity at Yellowstone in this monthly update for August 1, 2022.
Monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano for July 2022
Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, describes activity at Yellowstone volcano in this monthly update for July 1, 2022.
Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, describes activity at Yellowstone volcano in this monthly update for July 1, 2022.
Front cover of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory’s Volcano and Earthquake Monitoring Plan for the Yellowstone Caldera System, 2022–2032
linkFront cover of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory’s Volcano and Earthquake Monitoring Plan for the Yellowstone Caldera System, 2022–2032.
SNOTEL and streamgage sites in and around Yellowstone National Park
Map of SNOTEL snowpack telemetry sites (blue dots) and streamgages (red dots) in and around Yellowstone National Park.
Map of SNOTEL snowpack telemetry sites (blue dots) and streamgages (red dots) in and around Yellowstone National Park.
Yellowstone River level and discharge during June 9–16, 2022, at Corwin Springs streamgage north of Yellowstone National Park
linkYellowstone River level (left) and discharge (right) during June 9–16, 2022, measured at the Corwin Springs streamgage just north of Yellowstone National Park (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/uv/?site_no=06191500&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060,00010). The
Yellowstone River level and discharge during June 9–16, 2022, at Corwin Springs streamgage north of Yellowstone National Park
linkYellowstone River level (left) and discharge (right) during June 9–16, 2022, measured at the Corwin Springs streamgage just north of Yellowstone National Park (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/uv/?site_no=06191500&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060,00010). The
Panoramic image of Valles Caldera, New Mexico
Panoramic image of Valles Caldera, New Mexico, looking at the Valle Grande, part of the calderas “moat.” The resurgent dome is the high topography at the left side of the image, while the hills at the center and right are lava domes. USGS photo by Mike Poland, June 10, 2022.
Panoramic image of Valles Caldera, New Mexico, looking at the Valle Grande, part of the calderas “moat.” The resurgent dome is the high topography at the left side of the image, while the hills at the center and right are lava domes. USGS photo by Mike Poland, June 10, 2022.
Panoramic image of the Sulphur Springs thermal area in Valles Caldera, New Mexico
Panoramic image of the Sulphur Springs thermal area in Valles Caldera, New Mexico. The altered surface, composed of clays, strongly resembles acid-sulfate thermal areas in Yellowstone National Park, like the Mud Volcano region. USGS photo by Mike Poland, June 10, 2022.
Panoramic image of the Sulphur Springs thermal area in Valles Caldera, New Mexico. The altered surface, composed of clays, strongly resembles acid-sulfate thermal areas in Yellowstone National Park, like the Mud Volcano region. USGS photo by Mike Poland, June 10, 2022.
The Bandelier Tuff near Los Alamos, New Mexico
The Bandelier Tuff near Los Alamos, New Mexico. The Jemez Mountains, home to the Valles and Toledo calderas where the tuff originated, rise in the distance. The tuff was hot and thick when it was deposited by caldera-forming eruptions 1.61 and 1.25 million years ago, and so it is welded in places, forming a dense and resistant rock. USGS photo by M
The Bandelier Tuff near Los Alamos, New Mexico. The Jemez Mountains, home to the Valles and Toledo calderas where the tuff originated, rise in the distance. The tuff was hot and thick when it was deposited by caldera-forming eruptions 1.61 and 1.25 million years ago, and so it is welded in places, forming a dense and resistant rock. USGS photo by M
YVO monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano for June 2022
This monthly video update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano comes to you from Mammoth Hot Springs, in Yellowstone National Park, where the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory consortium had its first face-to-face meeting in four years.
This monthly video update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano comes to you from Mammoth Hot Springs, in Yellowstone National Park, where the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory consortium had its first face-to-face meeting in four years.
Scientists install a semipermanent GPS station in Yellowstone National Park
Scientists install a semipermanent GPS station in Yellowstone National Park. These stations, which are not radio-telemetered, are typically installed in May and recovered in October, when the data are downloaded and processed. These stations help to supplement the continuous GPS network in the Yellowstone area.
Scientists install a semipermanent GPS station in Yellowstone National Park. These stations, which are not radio-telemetered, are typically installed in May and recovered in October, when the data are downloaded and processed. These stations help to supplement the continuous GPS network in the Yellowstone area.
YVO monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano, May 1, 2022
Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, talks about Yellowstone’s recent earthquakes, trends in ground deformation, and Steamboat Geyser activity in this video update of May 1, 2022.
Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, talks about Yellowstone’s recent earthquakes, trends in ground deformation, and Steamboat Geyser activity in this video update of May 1, 2022.
Monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano (April 1, 2022)
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Mike Poland talks about a recent earthquake swarm in Yellowstone National Park, trends in ground deformation, and water eruptions at Steamboat Geyser, in this video update of recent activity (April 1, 2022).
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Mike Poland talks about a recent earthquake swarm in Yellowstone National Park, trends in ground deformation, and water eruptions at Steamboat Geyser, in this video update of recent activity (April 1, 2022).
Monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano for March 2022
Happy 150th birthday to Yellowstone National Park! The Park is truly a wonderland, and a place of continuous inspiration and learning. Listen, as Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Mike Poland recounts some of its unique history and provides an update of recent earthquakes, ground deformation, and geyser activity.
Happy 150th birthday to Yellowstone National Park! The Park is truly a wonderland, and a place of continuous inspiration and learning. Listen, as Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Mike Poland recounts some of its unique history and provides an update of recent earthquakes, ground deformation, and geyser activity.
Plot comparing caldera deformation
Vertical deformation measured at three caldera systems: Yellowstone, Wyoming (red), Long Valley, California (green), and Campi Flegrei, Italy (blue). Triangles show data collected by leveling, and circles by GPS. All three calderas have gone up and down over time, but the scale of change at Campi Flegrei dwarfs that at Long Valley and Yellowstone.
Vertical deformation measured at three caldera systems: Yellowstone, Wyoming (red), Long Valley, California (green), and Campi Flegrei, Italy (blue). Triangles show data collected by leveling, and circles by GPS. All three calderas have gone up and down over time, but the scale of change at Campi Flegrei dwarfs that at Long Valley and Yellowstone.
Monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano for Jan 2022
This monthly update from the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory begins with a story.
This monthly update from the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory begins with a story.
Recap of Yellowstone's 2021 activity and December's monthly update
Before we get into what happened during the month of December 2021, let’s review what happened at Yellowstone over the past year.
Before we get into what happened during the month of December 2021, let’s review what happened at Yellowstone over the past year.
Seismicity in the Yellowstone region during 2021
Map of seismicity (red circles) in the Yellowstone region during 2021. 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.
Map of seismicity (red circles) in the Yellowstone region during 2021. 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.
Yellowstone's ups and downs explained in this monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano (December 1, 2021)
linkSome people have characterized the seasonal rise and fall of Yellowstone as being like breathing. During the summer there is a little pause in the overall trend of subsidence and sometimes even a short episode of slight uplift. The trend reverses in early winter.
Yellowstone's ups and downs explained in this monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano (December 1, 2021)
linkSome people have characterized the seasonal rise and fall of Yellowstone as being like breathing. During the summer there is a little pause in the overall trend of subsidence and sometimes even a short episode of slight uplift. The trend reverses in early winter.
November (2021) Yellowstone Volcano
The November 2021 YVO Yellowstone Volcano update comes to you from a very snowy Norris Geyser Basin with a story about Porkchop Geyser’s 1989 explosion.
The November 2021 YVO Yellowstone Volcano update comes to you from a very snowy Norris Geyser Basin with a story about Porkchop Geyser’s 1989 explosion.
View of White Mountain from the Sunlight Basin Road
A view of White Mountain -- a deposit of the Heart Mountain detachment -- from the Sunlight Basin Road in Wyoming. Much of the evidence supporting the lamprophyre diatreme triggering mechanism theory for the landslide was gathered at White Mountain.
A view of White Mountain -- a deposit of the Heart Mountain detachment -- from the Sunlight Basin Road in Wyoming. Much of the evidence supporting the lamprophyre diatreme triggering mechanism theory for the landslide was gathered at White Mountain.
Michael Poland
Photograph of Michael Poland, geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey and Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory.
Photograph of Michael Poland, geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey and Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government