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Volcano Science Center images.

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Isotopic composition of units within the Absaroka volcanic province
Isotopic composition of units within the Absaroka volcanic province
Isotopic composition of units within the Absaroka volcanic province
Isotopic composition of units within the Absaroka volcanic province

Isotopic composition of the primary volcanic groups of the Absaroka volcanic province (the Washburn, Sunlight, and Thorofare groups) and two volcaniclastic units, the Sepulcher formation and the Daly formation.

Isotopic composition of the primary volcanic groups of the Absaroka volcanic province (the Washburn, Sunlight, and Thorofare groups) and two volcaniclastic units, the Sepulcher formation and the Daly formation.

Landsat 8 nighttime thermal infrared image of Yellowstone National Park from January 31, 2023
Landsat 8 nighttime thermal infrared image of Yellowstone National Park from January 31, 2023
Landsat 8 nighttime thermal infrared image of Yellowstone National Park from January 31, 2023
Landsat 8 nighttime thermal infrared image of Yellowstone National Park from January 31, 2023

Landsat 8 nighttime thermal infrared image of Yellowstone National Park from January 31, 2023. Satellite-based thermal infrared data show areas on the surface that are warmer versus cooler, and they can be used to estimate surface temperature and the geothermal radiative heat output from the Yellowstone magmatic and hydrothermal system.

Landsat 8 nighttime thermal infrared image of Yellowstone National Park from January 31, 2023. Satellite-based thermal infrared data show areas on the surface that are warmer versus cooler, and they can be used to estimate surface temperature and the geothermal radiative heat output from the Yellowstone magmatic and hydrothermal system.

red orange colored fountain of lava against black background
Halema‘uma‘u lava fountain on lava lake surface
Halema‘uma‘u lava fountain on lava lake surface
Halema‘uma‘u lava fountain on lava lake surface

This image, taken early on January 6th, shows a lava fountain on the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u. Numerous areas of upwelling, like the one pictured here, are actively feeding the lava lake and re-surfacing material that was emplaced from activity in 2022. This fountain measured 16-33 feet in height (5-10 meters). 

This image, taken early on January 6th, shows a lava fountain on the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u. Numerous areas of upwelling, like the one pictured here, are actively feeding the lava lake and re-surfacing material that was emplaced from activity in 2022. This fountain measured 16-33 feet in height (5-10 meters). 

person standing on edge of open crater with three cameras. orange lava erupting and flowing into crater.
HVO scientist views new eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater
HVO scientist views new eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater
HVO scientist views new eruption in Halema‘uma‘u crater

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist documents the new eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea summit within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The eruption began just after 4:30 p.m. on January 5, 2023, and remains confined to Halema‘uma‘u crater. USGS image by D. Downs.

A USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist documents the new eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater, at Kīlauea summit within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The eruption began just after 4:30 p.m. on January 5, 2023, and remains confined to Halema‘uma‘u crater. USGS image by D. Downs.

person standing next to deep crater next to camera tripod
Upgrade to Kīlauea summit webcam
Upgrade to Kīlauea summit webcam
Upgrade to Kīlauea summit webcam

The KWcam webcam, on the west rim of Kīlauea caldera, was upgraded on January 4, 2023, to a more advanced model, which provides a slightly wider view and higher image quality. This should provide an improved view of any future activity in Halema‘uma‘u. In this photo, an HVO scientist begins the process of the webcam swap. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

The KWcam webcam, on the west rim of Kīlauea caldera, was upgraded on January 4, 2023, to a more advanced model, which provides a slightly wider view and higher image quality. This should provide an improved view of any future activity in Halema‘uma‘u. In this photo, an HVO scientist begins the process of the webcam swap. USGS photo by M. Patrick.

Geology of the unconformity on Mount Everts in Yellowstone National Park
Geology of the unconformity on Mount Everts in Yellowstone National Park
Geology of the unconformity on Mount Everts in Yellowstone National Park
Geology of the unconformity on Mount Everts in Yellowstone National Park

Geology of the unconformity on Mount Everts in Yellowstone National Park.  Sketch at the top was made by geologist William Henry Holmes in 1878 and correctly identifies Cretaceous sediments overlain by much younger rhyolite rocks, including fine ash deposits (“tufa”).  The photo at the bottom shows the same outcrop as viewed from Mammoth Hot Springs (USGS

Geology of the unconformity on Mount Everts in Yellowstone National Park.  Sketch at the top was made by geologist William Henry Holmes in 1878 and correctly identifies Cretaceous sediments overlain by much younger rhyolite rocks, including fine ash deposits (“tufa”).  The photo at the bottom shows the same outcrop as viewed from Mammoth Hot Springs (USGS

Plot of Yellowstone Lake level in June 13, 2021, showing a repeating seiche wave
Plot of Yellowstone Lake level in June 13, 2021, showing a repeating seiche wave
Plot of Yellowstone Lake level in June 13, 2021, showing a repeating seiche wave
Plot of Yellowstone Lake level in June 13, 2021, showing a repeating seiche wave

An example of the repeating seiche—a long-period oscillatory wave that can be present on a lake—measured over the course of a day by the lake-level sensor at the Grant Village boat dock on the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake. The plot shows a cyclic variation of about 2 centimeters that occurs numerous times during June 13, 2021.

An example of the repeating seiche—a long-period oscillatory wave that can be present on a lake—measured over the course of a day by the lake-level sensor at the Grant Village boat dock on the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake. The plot shows a cyclic variation of about 2 centimeters that occurs numerous times during June 13, 2021.

SP Crater in the San Francisco volcanic field of northern Arizona
SP Crater in the San Francisco volcanic field of northern Arizona
SP Crater in the San Francisco volcanic field of northern Arizona
SP Crater in the San Francisco volcanic field of northern Arizona

SP Crater (right foreground), like many volcanoes in Arizona’s San Francisco volcanic field, erupted mafic lava that lacks sanidine crystals.

Yellowstone National Park map with colors indicating high arsenic in rivers near major geyser basins
Map of arsenic concentrations in Yellowstone National Park rivers
Map of arsenic concentrations in Yellowstone National Park rivers
Map of arsenic concentrations in Yellowstone National Park rivers

Map of Yellowstone National Park lakes, rivers, and streams, with colors indicating the amount of arsenic in the water.  The Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) defined by the Environmental Protection Agency for arsenic in drinking water is 10 micrograms per liter (µg/L).  In the vicinity of major geyser basins, especially on the Firehole and Madison Rivers, a

Map of Yellowstone National Park lakes, rivers, and streams, with colors indicating the amount of arsenic in the water.  The Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) defined by the Environmental Protection Agency for arsenic in drinking water is 10 micrograms per liter (µg/L).  In the vicinity of major geyser basins, especially on the Firehole and Madison Rivers, a

Pie diagram showing chloride flux measured in 2022 in rivers of Yellowstone National Park
Pie diagram showing chloride flux measured in 2022 in rivers of Yellowstone National Park
Pie diagram showing chloride flux measured in 2022 in rivers of Yellowstone National Park
Pie diagram showing chloride flux measured in 2022 in rivers of Yellowstone National Park

Pie diagram showing the chloride flux, in kilotons per year (kt/yr), measured in 2022, with percentages for the four major rivers (Madison, Yellowstone, Snake, and Falls rivers) that drain Yellowstone National Park. Figure developed by Baine McCleskey.

Pie diagram showing the chloride flux, in kilotons per year (kt/yr), measured in 2022, with percentages for the four major rivers (Madison, Yellowstone, Snake, and Falls rivers) that drain Yellowstone National Park. Figure developed by Baine McCleskey.

Satellite, airborne, and ground-based images of an unnamed thermal feature in the Three River Junction thermal area in southwest Yellowstone National Park
Images of an unnamed thermal feature in the Three River Junction thermal area in southwest Yellowstone National Park
Images of an unnamed thermal feature in the Three River Junction thermal area in southwest Yellowstone National Park
Images of an unnamed thermal feature in the Three River Junction thermal area in southwest Yellowstone National Park

Images of an unnamed thermal feature in the Three River Junction thermal area in southwest Yellowstone National Park. A, WorldView-3 satellite image from September 2014. B, National Park Service (NPS) aerial photograph from 2017. Images A and B were acquired before the feature went largely dry in late 2019 or 2020. C, WorldView-3 satellite image from June 2020.

Images of an unnamed thermal feature in the Three River Junction thermal area in southwest Yellowstone National Park. A, WorldView-3 satellite image from September 2014. B, National Park Service (NPS) aerial photograph from 2017. Images A and B were acquired before the feature went largely dry in late 2019 or 2020. C, WorldView-3 satellite image from June 2020.

Seismicity in the Yellowstone region during 2022
Seismicity in the Yellowstone region during 2022
Seismicity in the Yellowstone region during 2022
Seismicity in the Yellowstone region during 2022

Map of seismicity (red circles) in the Yellowstone region during 2022. 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 2022. 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.

3D rendering of the shear-wave-speed anomaly below Yellowstone
3D rendering of the shear-wave-speed anomaly below Yellowstone
3D rendering of the shear-wave-speed anomaly below Yellowstone
3D rendering of the shear-wave-speed anomaly below Yellowstone

3D rendering of the shear-wave-speed anomaly (ɗVS) below Yellowstone. Regions of strongly reduced shear-wave speed most likely indicate volumes of partially molten crust. Iso-surfaces (surfaces of constant ɗVS) are shown in increments of 5%.

3D rendering of the shear-wave-speed anomaly (ɗVS) below Yellowstone. Regions of strongly reduced shear-wave speed most likely indicate volumes of partially molten crust. Iso-surfaces (surfaces of constant ɗVS) are shown in increments of 5%.

Seismic data coverage of the Yellowstone region and example of seismic noise records
Seismic data coverage of the Yellowstone region and example of seismic noise records
Seismic data coverage of the Yellowstone region and example of seismic noise records
Seismic data coverage of the Yellowstone region and example of seismic noise records

Seismic data coverage of the Yellowstone region and example of seismic noise records. By cross-correlating signals of the background noise recorded at two seismic stations and stacking the signals over many days, useful seismic waveforms can be extracted.

Seismic data coverage of the Yellowstone region and example of seismic noise records. By cross-correlating signals of the background noise recorded at two seismic stations and stacking the signals over many days, useful seismic waveforms can be extracted.

glowing red and orange lava flows moving down a dark slope with orange and red clouds in the sky.
Mauna Loa eruption from the Northeast Rift Zone sends lava flows to the north downslope. As of 6am local time, flows were 6 miles from Saddle Road.
Mauna Loa eruption from the Northeast Rift Zone sends lava flows to the north downslope. As of 6am local time, flows were 6 miles from Saddle Road.
Mauna Loa eruption from the Northeast Rift Zone sends lava flows to the north downslope. As of 6am local time, flows were 6 miles from Saddle Road.

Photograph taken from Saddle Road at 6AM Hawaii time on November 29, 2022 shows lava flows moving northeast downslope of Mauna Loa volcano from the Northeast Rift Zone eruption.

glowing red and orange lava flows moving down a dark slope with orange and red clouds in the sky.
Mauna Loa eruption from the Northeast Rift Zone sends lava flows to the north downslope toward Saddle Road. As of 6am local time, flows were 6 miles from Saddle Road.
Mauna Loa eruption from the Northeast Rift Zone sends lava flows to the north downslope toward Saddle Road. As of 6am local time, flows were 6 miles from Saddle Road.
Mauna Loa eruption from the Northeast Rift Zone sends lava flows to the north downslope toward Saddle Road. As of 6am local time, flows were 6 miles from Saddle Road.

Photograph taken from Saddle Road at 6AM Hawaii time on November 29, 2022 shows lava flows moving northeast downslope of Mauna Loa volcano from the Northeast Rift Zone eruption.

Google Earth image of the north part of Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, showing the site of the Fountain Hotel
Google Earth image of the north part of Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, showing the site of the Fountain Hotel
Google Earth image of the north part of Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, showing the site of the Fountain Hotel
Discharge and specific conductance measured in June 2022 at the Gardner River, Yellowstone National Park
Discharge and specific conductance measured in June 2022 at the Gardner River, Yellowstone National Park
Discharge and specific conductance measured in June 2022 at the Gardner River, Yellowstone National Park
Discharge and specific conductance measured in June 2022 at the Gardner River, Yellowstone National Park

Graph showing the discharge (blue) and specific conductance (black) measured at the Gardner River monitoring station in Yellowstone National Park during the June 10–13, 2022, flood.

Map of southern Idaho and the Snake River Plain
Map of southern Idaho and the Snake River Plain
Map of southern Idaho and the Snake River Plain
Map of southern Idaho and the Snake River Plain

Map of southern Idaho and the Snake River Plain, showing the eastern (ESRP) and western (WSRP) parts of the geologic province. Map by Zach Lifton, Idaho Geological Survey.

Map of southern Idaho and the Snake River Plain, showing the eastern (ESRP) and western (WSRP) parts of the geologic province. Map by Zach Lifton, Idaho Geological Survey.

Jamie Farrell presents Yellowstone as one of the first 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites
Jamie Farrell presents Yellowstone as one of the first 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites
Jamie Farrell presents Yellowstone as one of the first 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites
Jamie Farrell presents Yellowstone as one of the first 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites

Jamie Farrell presents Yellowstone as one of the first 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites during the 60th anniversary IUGS meeting in Zumaia, Spain in October, 2022.  Photo by Marjorie Chan.

Certificate for Yellowstone as one of the first 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites
Certificate for Yellowstone as one of the first 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites
Certificate for Yellowstone as one of the first 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites
Certificate for Yellowstone as one of the first 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites

Document certifying The Yellowstone Volcanic and Hydrothermal System, USA, as one of the first 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites as declared during the 60th anniversary IUGS meeting held in Zumaia, Spain in October 2022.

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