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Color map showing eruption extent
March 10, 2025—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map
March 10, 2025—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map
March 10, 2025—Kīlauea summit eruption reference map

This reference map depicts the Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater that began on December 23, 2024. As of this posting on March 10, the eruption has had twelve episodes, with a thirteenth likely to occur the next 24 hours.

This reference map depicts the Kīlauea summit eruption within Halema‘uma‘u crater that began on December 23, 2024. As of this posting on March 10, the eruption has had twelve episodes, with a thirteenth likely to occur the next 24 hours.

Graphic depicting melt embayment in quartz crystal, and how H2O compositions change within the embayment
Melt embayments and diffusion profiles to determine magma ascent rate
Melt embayments and diffusion profiles to determine magma ascent rate
Melt embayments and diffusion profiles to determine magma ascent rate

Quartz crystals (A) often contain melt embayments (tubular melt-filled pockets burrowed into the side of volcanic crystals) (B), which preserve volatiles (water, carbon dioxide, and sulfur) that have different concentrations in different parts of the embayment (C).

Quartz crystals (A) often contain melt embayments (tubular melt-filled pockets burrowed into the side of volcanic crystals) (B), which preserve volatiles (water, carbon dioxide, and sulfur) that have different concentrations in different parts of the embayment (C).

Plot showing speeds of various animals and sprinters compared to magma ascent rates at different volcanoes
Range of speeds for several animals, athletes, and magmas from various volcanic eruptions.
Range of speeds for several animals, athletes, and magmas from various volcanic eruptions.
Range of speeds for several animals, athletes, and magmas from various volcanic eruptions.

Range of speeds for several animals, athletes, and magmas from various volcanic eruptions. Eruptions shown include the 25,400-year-old Oruanui eruption of Taupo (New Zealand), the 2.08-million-year-old Huckleberry Ridge Tuff of Yellowstone (USA), and the 767,000-year-old Bishop Tuff of Long Valley (USA). Magma ascent rates determined by Myers et al. (2018).

Range of speeds for several animals, athletes, and magmas from various volcanic eruptions. Eruptions shown include the 25,400-year-old Oruanui eruption of Taupo (New Zealand), the 2.08-million-year-old Huckleberry Ridge Tuff of Yellowstone (USA), and the 767,000-year-old Bishop Tuff of Long Valley (USA). Magma ascent rates determined by Myers et al. (2018).

Map of Roadside Springs thermal area, Yellowstone National Park
Map of Roadside Springs thermal area, Yellowstone National Park
Map of Roadside Springs thermal area, Yellowstone National Park
Map of Roadside Springs thermal area, Yellowstone National Park

Map showing the Roadside Springs thermal area, located just north of Nymph Lake along the Norris-Mammoth highway.  Hydrothermal ground is shaded purple.  New hydrothermal features formed in 2003 on the north side of Nymph Lake, and also in 2024 a bit further north from the lake.  Figure by Jefferson Hungerford, Yellowstone National Park.

Map showing the Roadside Springs thermal area, located just north of Nymph Lake along the Norris-Mammoth highway.  Hydrothermal ground is shaded purple.  New hydrothermal features formed in 2003 on the north side of Nymph Lake, and also in 2024 a bit further north from the lake.  Figure by Jefferson Hungerford, Yellowstone National Park.

Aerial view of a thermal area, with forest, lakes/ponds, and barren ground
Aerial view of Roadside Springs thermal area, Yellowstone National Park
Aerial view of Roadside Springs thermal area, Yellowstone National Park
Aerial view of Roadside Springs thermal area, Yellowstone National Park

Aerial view looking to the west at the Roadside Springs hydrothermal area and Nymph Lake showing the locations of thermal features that formed in 2003 and 2024.  Yellow line marks the Mammoth-Norris highway.   Figure by Jefferson Hungerford, Yellowstone National Park.

Aerial view looking to the west at the Roadside Springs hydrothermal area and Nymph Lake showing the locations of thermal features that formed in 2003 and 2024.  Yellow line marks the Mammoth-Norris highway.   Figure by Jefferson Hungerford, Yellowstone National Park.

Simplified schematic of a volcanic plume
Simplified schematic of a volcanic plume
Simplified schematic of a volcanic plume
Simplified schematic of a volcanic plume

Simplified schematic of a volcanic plume ejecting ash, crystals and fragments of rock from a vent. This rising plume will eventually hit a zone of neutral buoyancy in the atmosphere, where it is then carried by the wind. Material is ejected from both the upward moving jet and falls from the umbrellaing plume.

Simplified schematic of a volcanic plume ejecting ash, crystals and fragments of rock from a vent. This rising plume will eventually hit a zone of neutral buoyancy in the atmosphere, where it is then carried by the wind. Material is ejected from both the upward moving jet and falls from the umbrellaing plume.

Videos

I'm melting. So are the streets at Yellowstone. "I'm Melting!" So are the streets at Yellowstone (Yellowstone Monthly Update - March 2025)
"I'm Melting!" So are the streets at Yellowstone (Yellowstone Monthly Update - March 2025)
"I'm Melting!" So are the streets at Yellowstone (Yellowstone Monthly Update - March 2025)

Is it true roads in Yellowstone National Park are melting? Whatever you might have heard, it's nothing new and it's not due to increased volcanic activity. Get up-to-speed in this month's update from the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (March 2025).

Is it true roads in Yellowstone National Park are melting? Whatever you might have heard, it's nothing new and it's not due to increased volcanic activity. Get up-to-speed in this month's update from the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (March 2025).

Underwater smokers in Yellowstone? Underwater Smokers in Yellowstone? (Yellowstone Monthly Update - Feb 2025)
Underwater Smokers in Yellowstone? (Yellowstone Monthly Update - Feb 2025)
Underwater Smokers in Yellowstone? (Yellowstone Monthly Update - Feb 2025)

You've probably seen videos of black smokers on the ocean floor, where hydrothermal fluids vent from chimneys. In Yellowstone’s Monument Geyser Basin, you can see similar features right at the surface, and they likely formed in much the same way. Watch to learn more.

 

You've probably seen videos of black smokers on the ocean floor, where hydrothermal fluids vent from chimneys. In Yellowstone’s Monument Geyser Basin, you can see similar features right at the surface, and they likely formed in much the same way. Watch to learn more.

 

Happy New Year! Top 5 Geologic Stories in 2024 Top 5 Yellowstone Stories of 2024 (Yellowstone Monthly Update - Jan 2025)
Top 5 Yellowstone Stories of 2024 (Yellowstone Monthly Update - Jan 2025)
Top 5 Yellowstone Stories of 2024 (Yellowstone Monthly Update - Jan 2025)

In addition to the December 2024 update, Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, presents YVO’s top five geologic stories from Yellowstone National Park in 2024. 

In addition to the December 2024 update, Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, presents YVO’s top five geologic stories from Yellowstone National Park in 2024. 

Hydrothermal thermal explosions – more common than you think Hydrothermal Explosions — more common than you think! (Yellowstone Monthly Update - Dec 2024)
Hydrothermal Explosions — more common than you think! (Yellowstone Monthly Update - Dec 2024)
Hydrothermal Explosions — more common than you think! (Yellowstone Monthly Update - Dec 2024)

The hydrothermal explosion in Biscuit Basin stole all the headlines. But did you know there was a smaller hydrothermal explosion in Norris Geyser Basin on April 15, 2024? That explosion was detected by a new infrasound sensor installed this past September. Watch to learn more.

The hydrothermal explosion in Biscuit Basin stole all the headlines. But did you know there was a smaller hydrothermal explosion in Norris Geyser Basin on April 15, 2024? That explosion was detected by a new infrasound sensor installed this past September. Watch to learn more.

Obsidian a valuable commodity Obsidian: Not just a valuable commodity in Minecraft. (Yellowstone Monthly Update - November 2024)
Obsidian: Not just a valuable commodity in Minecraft. (Yellowstone Monthly Update - November 2024)
Obsidian: Not just a valuable commodity in Minecraft. (Yellowstone Monthly Update - November 2024)

Obsidian: It’s not just a valuable commodity in Minecraft. Obsidian was an important resource for Indigenous peoples across western North America. Learn more in this month's update.

Obsidian: It’s not just a valuable commodity in Minecraft. Obsidian was an important resource for Indigenous peoples across western North America. Learn more in this month's update.

Biscuit Basin Update, Hydrothermal Explosion on July 23, 2024 Biscuit Basin Hydrothermal Explosion Update (Yellowstone Monthly Update — October 2024)
Biscuit Basin Hydrothermal Explosion Update (Yellowstone Monthly Update — October 2024)
Biscuit Basin Hydrothermal Explosion Update (Yellowstone Monthly Update — October 2024)

Let’s get you caught up on what we’ve learned about the July 23, 2024, hydrothermal explosion in Biscuit Basin, in this Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update for October 2024. 

Read Caldera Chronicles

Let’s get you caught up on what we’ve learned about the July 23, 2024, hydrothermal explosion in Biscuit Basin, in this Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Monthly Update for October 2024. 

Read Caldera Chronicles

Audio

Sounds of Yellowstone, Steamboat Geyser
Thumbnail for Steamboat Geyser in the Sounds of Yellowstone podcast
Thumbnail for Steamboat Geyser in the Sounds of Yellowstone podcast
Steamboat Geyser — Sounds of Yellowstone (ASMR, Sleep, Concentration)
Steamboat Geyser — Sounds of Yellowstone (ASMR, Sleep, Concentration)
Sounds of Yellowstone, Steamboat Geyser
Thumbnail for Steamboat Geyser in the Sounds of Yellowstone podcast
Thumbnail for Steamboat Geyser in the Sounds of Yellowstone podcast
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
Beryl Spring artwork - Sounds of Yellowstone
Beryl Spring artwork - Sounds of Yellowstone
Beryl Spring — Sounds of Yellowstone (ASMR, Sleep, Concentration)
Beryl Spring — Sounds of Yellowstone (ASMR, Sleep, Concentration)
Beryl Spring, Sounds of Yellowstone
Beryl Spring artwork - Sounds of Yellowstone
Beryl Spring artwork - Sounds of Yellowstone
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
Blue Mud Steam Vent artwork for Sounds of Yellowstone
Blue Mud Steam Vent artwork for Sounds of Yellowstone
Blue Mud Steam Vent — Sounds of Yellowstone (ASMR, Sleep, Concentration)
Blue Mud Steam Vent — Sounds of Yellowstone (ASMR, Sleep, Concentration)
Blue Mud Steam Vent, Sounds of Yellowstone
Blue Mud Steam Vent artwork for Sounds of Yellowstone
Blue Mud Steam Vent artwork for Sounds of Yellowstone
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.

River and Thermal, Sounds of Yellowstone
Bridge Near Monument Geyser Basin Trailhead artwork for Sounds of Yellowstone
Bridge Near Monument Geyser Basin Trailhead artwork for Sounds of Yellowstone
Bridge Near Monument Geyser Basin Trailhead — Sounds of Yellowstone (ASMR, Sleep, Concentration)
Bridge Near Monument Geyser Basin Trailhead — Sounds of Yellowstone (ASMR, Sleep, Concentration)
River and Thermal, Sounds of Yellowstone
Bridge Near Monument Geyser Basin Trailhead artwork for Sounds of Yellowstone
Bridge Near Monument Geyser Basin Trailhead artwork for Sounds of Yellowstone
Bridge Near Monument Geyser Basin Trailhead — Sounds of Yellowstone (ASMR, Sleep, Concentration)

Need 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.

Need 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
Cinnamon Spouter, Sounds of Yellowstone artwork
Cinnamon Spouter, Sounds of Yellowstone artwork
Cinnamon Spouter — Sounds of Yellowstone (ASMR, Sleep, Concentration)
Cinnamon Spouter — Sounds of Yellowstone (ASMR, Sleep, Concentration)
Cinnamon Spouter, Sounds of Yellowstone
Cinnamon Spouter, Sounds of Yellowstone artwork
Cinnamon Spouter, Sounds of Yellowstone artwork
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
Congress Pool artwork for Sounds of Yellowstone
Congress Pool artwork for Sounds of Yellowstone
Congress Pool — Sounds of Yellowstone (ASMR, Sleep, Concentration)
Congress Pool — Sounds of Yellowstone (ASMR, Sleep, Concentration)
Congress Pool, Sounds of Yellowstone
Congress Pool artwork for Sounds of Yellowstone
Congress Pool artwork for Sounds of Yellowstone
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.

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