Yellowstone’s semi-permanent GPS sensors head home for the winter.
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.
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Monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano for October 2021
Yellowstone’s semi-permanent GPS sensors head home for the winter.
Yellowstone interferogram from Sentinel-1 spanning September 22, 2020 to September 17, 2021
Interferogram created from data collected on September 22, 2020, and September 17, 2021, by the Sentinel-1 satellite system. Colored fringes indicate a change in distance (called range change) between the satellite and ground surface that is caused by surface deformation.
Interferogram created from data collected on September 22, 2020, and September 17, 2021, by the Sentinel-1 satellite system. Colored fringes indicate a change in distance (called range change) between the satellite and ground surface that is caused by surface deformation.
Yellowstone Volcano Update for August 2021
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory scientist-in-charge Mike Poland tells the story behind the color change of Morning Glory Pool and shows how to recognize seasonal changes in ground deformation data in this September 1, 2021 video update of volcano and earthquake activity at Yellowstone Volcano.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory scientist-in-charge Mike Poland tells the story behind the color change of Morning Glory Pool and shows how to recognize seasonal changes in ground deformation data in this September 1, 2021 video update of volcano and earthquake activity at Yellowstone Volcano.
Monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano for July 2021
During July, Yellowstone caught everyone’s attention with 1,000+ earthquakes located in seven distinct earthquake swarms. The largest swarm occurred beneath Yellowstone Lake and had 764 earthquakes, the largest of which was a Magnitude 3.6.
During July, Yellowstone caught everyone’s attention with 1,000+ earthquakes located in seven distinct earthquake swarms. The largest swarm occurred beneath Yellowstone Lake and had 764 earthquakes, the largest of which was a Magnitude 3.6.
Monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano for June 2021
From the boardwalk near Echinus Geyser (the largest acid geyser in the world), Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Mike Poland provides an update on activity in Yellowstone during the month of June. The Yellowstone Seismic Network located 445 earthquakes in the Yellowstone National Park region.
From the boardwalk near Echinus Geyser (the largest acid geyser in the world), Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Mike Poland provides an update on activity in Yellowstone during the month of June. The Yellowstone Seismic Network located 445 earthquakes in the Yellowstone National Park region.
YVO monthly activity update from rim of Yellowstone's Grand Canyon!
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory scientist-in-charge Mike Poland provides the YVO monthly update from the rim of Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon. The V-shaped gorge tells an amazing geologic story. About half a million years ago, a large rhyolite lava flow erupted. Over time, hot water and gases heated by the magma chamber rose through faults in the lava flow.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory scientist-in-charge Mike Poland provides the YVO monthly update from the rim of Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon. The V-shaped gorge tells an amazing geologic story. About half a million years ago, a large rhyolite lava flow erupted. Over time, hot water and gases heated by the magma chamber rose through faults in the lava flow.
Monument Geyser Basin
View of Monument Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, with one of the silica spire "monuments" (from which the basin gets its name) in the foreground. USGS photo by Mike Poland, May 15, 2021.
View of Monument Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, with one of the silica spire "monuments" (from which the basin gets its name) in the foreground. USGS photo by Mike Poland, May 15, 2021.
Roaring Mountain, Yellowstone National Park
Roaring Mountain, an acid-sulfate thermal area about 5 miles south of Norris Geyser Basin along the Norris-Mammoth road. At times during the late 1800s and early 1900s, the sound of gas escaping from vents could be heard over a mile away, but today the thermal area is mostly quiet, although remains intensely hot with over 100 megawatts of geothermal radiative
Roaring Mountain, an acid-sulfate thermal area about 5 miles south of Norris Geyser Basin along the Norris-Mammoth road. At times during the late 1800s and early 1900s, the sound of gas escaping from vents could be heard over a mile away, but today the thermal area is mostly quiet, although remains intensely hot with over 100 megawatts of geothermal radiative
YVO Update: Activity at Yellowstone and Volcanoes of Desert Southwest
There are thousands of volcanic features distributed throughout the southwest United States, which are grouped together in volcanic fields. The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory monitors these volcanoes using a combination of techniques.
There are thousands of volcanic features distributed throughout the southwest United States, which are grouped together in volcanic fields. The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory monitors these volcanoes using a combination of techniques.
"Not all eruptions are Armageddon" - Yellowstone Update for March 2021
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, debunks the misconception that if Yellowstone were to erupt, it would be Armageddon. In fact, the most common form of eruptive activity at Yellowstone is a lava flow, and even those aren't that common. They happen only once every few tens of thousands of years.
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, debunks the misconception that if Yellowstone were to erupt, it would be Armageddon. In fact, the most common form of eruptive activity at Yellowstone is a lava flow, and even those aren't that common. They happen only once every few tens of thousands of years.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update for January 2021
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone Volcano during January 2021.
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone Volcano during January 2021.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update for December 2020
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, provides an overview of activity at Yellowstone during December 2020.
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, provides an overview of activity at Yellowstone during December 2020.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update for November 2020
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during November 2020.
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during November 2020.
Yellowstone Volcano Observ: Overview, Monitoring, Hazards, Results
Just what is the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory? In this video, Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of YVO, gives an overview of the institutions that make up the Observatory, how YVO monitors volcano and earthquake activity at Yellowstone, the geologic hazards of the region, and some of the noteworthy new results and observations from YVO scientists.
Just what is the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory? In this video, Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of YVO, gives an overview of the institutions that make up the Observatory, how YVO monitors volcano and earthquake activity at Yellowstone, the geologic hazards of the region, and some of the noteworthy new results and observations from YVO scientists.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update for October 2020
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during October 2020.
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during October 2020.
Crested pool, in Upper Geyser Basin near Castle Geyser
Crested Pool, in Upper Geyser Basin near Castle Geyser. Geyser Hill is in the background, and Old Faithful is the steaming feature at the upper right. USGS photo by Mike Poland, October 12, 2020.
Crested Pool, in Upper Geyser Basin near Castle Geyser. Geyser Hill is in the background, and Old Faithful is the steaming feature at the upper right. USGS photo by Mike Poland, October 12, 2020.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update: October 1, 2020
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during September 2020.
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during September 2020.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update: September 1, 2020
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during August 2020.
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during August 2020.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update: August 1, 2020
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during July 2020.
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during July 2020.
Panorama of Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park
Panoramic photo of Hayden Valley looking east toward the Yellowstone River from the Mary Mountain trail.
Panoramic photo of Hayden Valley looking east toward the Yellowstone River from the Mary Mountain trail.
Violet Creek in Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park
A small stream, Violet Creek, winds its way through Hayden Valley in Yellowstone National Park.
A small stream, Violet Creek, winds its way through Hayden Valley in Yellowstone National Park.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 132
Monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano for October 2021
Yellowstone’s semi-permanent GPS sensors head home for the winter.
Yellowstone’s semi-permanent GPS sensors head home for the winter.
Yellowstone interferogram from Sentinel-1 spanning September 22, 2020 to September 17, 2021
Interferogram created from data collected on September 22, 2020, and September 17, 2021, by the Sentinel-1 satellite system. Colored fringes indicate a change in distance (called range change) between the satellite and ground surface that is caused by surface deformation.
Interferogram created from data collected on September 22, 2020, and September 17, 2021, by the Sentinel-1 satellite system. Colored fringes indicate a change in distance (called range change) between the satellite and ground surface that is caused by surface deformation.
Yellowstone Volcano Update for August 2021
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory scientist-in-charge Mike Poland tells the story behind the color change of Morning Glory Pool and shows how to recognize seasonal changes in ground deformation data in this September 1, 2021 video update of volcano and earthquake activity at Yellowstone Volcano.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory scientist-in-charge Mike Poland tells the story behind the color change of Morning Glory Pool and shows how to recognize seasonal changes in ground deformation data in this September 1, 2021 video update of volcano and earthquake activity at Yellowstone Volcano.
Monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano for July 2021
During July, Yellowstone caught everyone’s attention with 1,000+ earthquakes located in seven distinct earthquake swarms. The largest swarm occurred beneath Yellowstone Lake and had 764 earthquakes, the largest of which was a Magnitude 3.6.
During July, Yellowstone caught everyone’s attention with 1,000+ earthquakes located in seven distinct earthquake swarms. The largest swarm occurred beneath Yellowstone Lake and had 764 earthquakes, the largest of which was a Magnitude 3.6.
Monthly update of activity at Yellowstone Volcano for June 2021
From the boardwalk near Echinus Geyser (the largest acid geyser in the world), Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Mike Poland provides an update on activity in Yellowstone during the month of June. The Yellowstone Seismic Network located 445 earthquakes in the Yellowstone National Park region.
From the boardwalk near Echinus Geyser (the largest acid geyser in the world), Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Mike Poland provides an update on activity in Yellowstone during the month of June. The Yellowstone Seismic Network located 445 earthquakes in the Yellowstone National Park region.
YVO monthly activity update from rim of Yellowstone's Grand Canyon!
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory scientist-in-charge Mike Poland provides the YVO monthly update from the rim of Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon. The V-shaped gorge tells an amazing geologic story. About half a million years ago, a large rhyolite lava flow erupted. Over time, hot water and gases heated by the magma chamber rose through faults in the lava flow.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory scientist-in-charge Mike Poland provides the YVO monthly update from the rim of Yellowstone’s Grand Canyon. The V-shaped gorge tells an amazing geologic story. About half a million years ago, a large rhyolite lava flow erupted. Over time, hot water and gases heated by the magma chamber rose through faults in the lava flow.
Monument Geyser Basin
View of Monument Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, with one of the silica spire "monuments" (from which the basin gets its name) in the foreground. USGS photo by Mike Poland, May 15, 2021.
View of Monument Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park, with one of the silica spire "monuments" (from which the basin gets its name) in the foreground. USGS photo by Mike Poland, May 15, 2021.
Roaring Mountain, Yellowstone National Park
Roaring Mountain, an acid-sulfate thermal area about 5 miles south of Norris Geyser Basin along the Norris-Mammoth road. At times during the late 1800s and early 1900s, the sound of gas escaping from vents could be heard over a mile away, but today the thermal area is mostly quiet, although remains intensely hot with over 100 megawatts of geothermal radiative
Roaring Mountain, an acid-sulfate thermal area about 5 miles south of Norris Geyser Basin along the Norris-Mammoth road. At times during the late 1800s and early 1900s, the sound of gas escaping from vents could be heard over a mile away, but today the thermal area is mostly quiet, although remains intensely hot with over 100 megawatts of geothermal radiative
YVO Update: Activity at Yellowstone and Volcanoes of Desert Southwest
There are thousands of volcanic features distributed throughout the southwest United States, which are grouped together in volcanic fields. The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory monitors these volcanoes using a combination of techniques.
There are thousands of volcanic features distributed throughout the southwest United States, which are grouped together in volcanic fields. The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory monitors these volcanoes using a combination of techniques.
"Not all eruptions are Armageddon" - Yellowstone Update for March 2021
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, debunks the misconception that if Yellowstone were to erupt, it would be Armageddon. In fact, the most common form of eruptive activity at Yellowstone is a lava flow, and even those aren't that common. They happen only once every few tens of thousands of years.
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, debunks the misconception that if Yellowstone were to erupt, it would be Armageddon. In fact, the most common form of eruptive activity at Yellowstone is a lava flow, and even those aren't that common. They happen only once every few tens of thousands of years.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update for January 2021
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone Volcano during January 2021.
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone Volcano during January 2021.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update for December 2020
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, provides an overview of activity at Yellowstone during December 2020.
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, provides an overview of activity at Yellowstone during December 2020.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update for November 2020
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during November 2020.
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during November 2020.
Yellowstone Volcano Observ: Overview, Monitoring, Hazards, Results
Just what is the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory? In this video, Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of YVO, gives an overview of the institutions that make up the Observatory, how YVO monitors volcano and earthquake activity at Yellowstone, the geologic hazards of the region, and some of the noteworthy new results and observations from YVO scientists.
Just what is the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory? In this video, Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of YVO, gives an overview of the institutions that make up the Observatory, how YVO monitors volcano and earthquake activity at Yellowstone, the geologic hazards of the region, and some of the noteworthy new results and observations from YVO scientists.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update for October 2020
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during October 2020.
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during October 2020.
Crested pool, in Upper Geyser Basin near Castle Geyser
Crested Pool, in Upper Geyser Basin near Castle Geyser. Geyser Hill is in the background, and Old Faithful is the steaming feature at the upper right. USGS photo by Mike Poland, October 12, 2020.
Crested Pool, in Upper Geyser Basin near Castle Geyser. Geyser Hill is in the background, and Old Faithful is the steaming feature at the upper right. USGS photo by Mike Poland, October 12, 2020.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update: October 1, 2020
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during September 2020.
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during September 2020.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update: September 1, 2020
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during August 2020.
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during August 2020.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update: August 1, 2020
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during July 2020.
Mike Poland, Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, gives an overview of activity at Yellowstone during July 2020.
Panorama of Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park
Panoramic photo of Hayden Valley looking east toward the Yellowstone River from the Mary Mountain trail.
Panoramic photo of Hayden Valley looking east toward the Yellowstone River from the Mary Mountain trail.
Violet Creek in Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park
A small stream, Violet Creek, winds its way through Hayden Valley in Yellowstone National Park.
A small stream, Violet Creek, winds its way through Hayden Valley in Yellowstone National Park.
*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