Can we use the heat from Yellowstone for energy?
Geothermal energy (heat energy from the Earth's interior), is used to generate electricity in a variety of places throughout the world. Although Yellowstone National Park and its surroundings are a significant geothermal resource, the Park itself is off limits to development. Geothermal developments often cause a decrease in the flow of nearby hot springs and other geothermal features (like geysers), so it is questionable whether anyone could get permission to develop geothermal energy in the region outside the park.
There are other natural heat sources in the United States that are being used for geothermal energy. In California, about 4-5 gigawatts of electricity is generated at power plants at The Geysers, Salton Sea, Coso, Casa Diablo, and other geothermal systems. This is enough to provide energy for several million people. There are also geothermal power plants in Nevada and Utah. A geothermal power plant in Hawaii was closed in 2018 due to lava flows from Kilauea volcano.
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Geologic field-trip guide to the volcanic and hydrothermal landscape of the Yellowstone Plateau
Yellowstone National Park, a nearly 9,000 km2 (~3,468 mi2) area, was preserved in 1872 as the world’s first national park for its unique, extraordinary, and magnificent natural features. Rimmed by a crescent of older mountainous terrain, Yellowstone National Park has at its core the Quaternary Yellowstone Plateau, an undulating landscape...
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Hydrogeology of the Old Faithful area, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, and its relevance to natural resources and infrastructure
A panel of leading experts (The Old Faithful Science Review Panel) was convened by Yellowstone National Park (YNP) to review and summarize the geological and hydrological understanding that can inform National Park Service management of the Upper Geyser Basin area. We give an overview of present geological and hydrological knowledge of the Old...
Foley, Duncan; Fournier, Robert O.; Heasler, Henry P.; Hinckley, Bern; Ingebritsen, Steven E.; Lowenstern, Jacob B.; Susong, David D.
Steam explosions, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions -- what's in Yellowstone's future?
Yellowstone, one of the world’s largest active volcanic systems, has produced several giant volcanic eruptions in the past few million years, as well as many smaller eruptions and steam explosions. Although no eruptions of lava or volcanic ash have occurred for many thousands of years, future eruptions are likely. In the next few hundred years,...
Lowenstern, Jacob B.; Christiansen, Robert L.; Smith, Robert B.; Morgan, Lisa A.; Heasler, Henry
Geothermal energy: clean power from the Earth's heat
Societies in the 21st century require enormous amounts of energy to drive the machines of commerce and to sustain the lifestyles that many people have come to expect. Today, most of this energy is derived from oil, natural gas, and coal, supplemented by nuclear power. Local exceptions exist, but oil is by far the most common source of energy...
Duffield, Wendell A.; Sass, John H.
The Beowawe Geysers, Nevada, before geothermal development
White, Donald Edward
Effects of potential geothermal development in the Corwin Springs Known Geothermal Resources Area, Montana, on the thermal features of Yellowstone National Park
Sorey, M.L.
Whistle, a nearly dormant geyser in Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming; the first geyser to be studied by research drilling
White, Donald Edward
The complicated plumbing of hot springs and steam vents in Yellowstone National Park
Exploration and sampling of Yellowstone's thermal areas indicates that Yellowstone's hot springs often have surprisingly complex plumbing systems. It is not uncommon to find hot spring pools, which have one type of chemistry, and steam vents, which have totally different chemistry, located in close proximity—or even occupying the same space! Learn what happens when these mix or overlap.
The Complex Dynamics of Geyser Eruptions
Despite two centuries of scientific study, basic questions persist about geysers—why do they exist? What determines their behavior?
Science Report Guides Protection of Old Faithful Thermal Features and Historic Yellowstone Buildings
A newly published scientific report on the geology and hydrology in the area around Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park includes suggestions on how to avoid harming the unique hydrothermal (hot water) features during maintenance of nearby park roads, utilities, and historic buildings.
Scientists Take Temperature of Yellowstone Hot Springs
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. -- A new sensor network installed in Yellowstone National Park this summer will provide scientists and the public near “real-time” data on what’s happening in one of the nation’s most active geyser basins.
What Makes an Old Geyser Faithful?
New research suggests that how often Old Faithful and other Yellowstone geysers erupt may depend on annual rainfall patterns.
Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone
Old Faithful Geyser erupts on a clear winter day in Yellowstone National Park
Great Fountain Geyser, Yellowstone
Great Fountain Geyser erupting in Yellowstone National Park on a clear day.
Riverside Geyser, Yellowstone National Park
Riverside Geyser in Yellowstone National Park
Lone Star Geyser, Yellowstone National Park
eruption of Lone Star Geyser, Yellowstone National Park
The Yellowstone Volcano: Past, Present and Future
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Geothermal Plant
A geothermal power plant at The Geysers near Santa Rosa, California. The USGS researches and assesses geothermal resources.
PubTalk 8/2009 — The Future of Geothermal Energy
a discussion of present opportunities and future challenges
by Colin F. Williams, USGS Geophysicist
- A new USGS assessment of our Nation.s geothermal resources identifies favorable areas for energy development
- Can geothermal energy help satisfy the growing need for .clean. energy sources?
- Seven western states
Yes! Yellowstone is a Volcano (Part 1 of 3)
USGS Scientist-in-Charge of Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, Jake Lowenstern, answers
the following questions to explain volcanic features at Yellowstone: "How do we know Yellowstone is a
volcano?", "What is a Supervolcano?", "What is a Caldera?","Why are there geysers at Yellowstone?",
and "What are the other geologic hazards in Yellowstone?"
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Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park
Aerial view of Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park