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).
Multimedia
Images
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).
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 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 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.
Map of the Northwestern United States showing major volcanic features associated with the Yellowstone mantle plume
linkMap of the Northwestern United States showing major volcanic features associated with the mantle plume currently underneath Yellowstone caldera. Colors indicate general basaltic (blues) versus rhyolitic (reds) compositions, with shades indicating age (darker shades are older). Rough outlines of calderas that formed due to the Yellowstone hotspot are give
Map of the Northwestern United States showing major volcanic features associated with the Yellowstone mantle plume
linkMap of the Northwestern United States showing major volcanic features associated with the mantle plume currently underneath Yellowstone caldera. Colors indicate general basaltic (blues) versus rhyolitic (reds) compositions, with shades indicating age (darker shades are older). Rough outlines of calderas that formed due to the Yellowstone hotspot are give
Geologic domains of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Map of the geologic domains of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). Boundaries are approximate.
Map of the geologic domains of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE). Boundaries are approximate.
Videos
Hoodoo Hodunit?! (Yellowstone Monthly Update – April 2025)
Well look at this mess! What’s going on?
We’re just south of Mammoth Hot Springs at a place informally known as the Hoodoos. The official designation for the area is Silver Gate, named by an early Yellowstone National Park visitor because of the way the road wound between the closely spaced white and gray boulders.
Well look at this mess! What’s going on?
We’re just south of Mammoth Hot Springs at a place informally known as the Hoodoos. The official designation for the area is Silver Gate, named by an early Yellowstone National Park visitor because of the way the road wound between the closely spaced white and gray boulders.
"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? (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.
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 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: Not just a valuable commodity in Minecraft. (Yellowstone Monthly Update - November 2024)
linkObsidian: 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: Not just a valuable commodity in Minecraft. (Yellowstone Monthly Update - November 2024)
linkObsidian: 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.
Audio
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.
Is Something Brewing in Yellowstone?
Yellowstone National Park has experienced several hundred small earthquakes in the past few weeks. So what's going on?
Dr. Jake Lowenstern, USGS Scientist-In-Charge at the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, tells us what's happening and how scientists monitor volcano and earthquake activity at Yellowstone.
Yellowstone National Park has experienced several hundred small earthquakes in the past few weeks. So what's going on?
Dr. Jake Lowenstern, USGS Scientist-In-Charge at the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, tells us what's happening and how scientists monitor volcano and earthquake activity at Yellowstone.
Webcams
Old Faithful Live-streaming
View of the Old Faithful geyser live-streaming webcam provided by the National Park Service.
View of the Old Faithful geyser live-streaming webcam provided by the National Park Service.
Webcam at Yellowstone Lake
The camera view is south-southeast over Yellowstone Lake from the cell phone tower near Fishing Bridge. Stevenson Island is visible within the lake on the right. The view extends down the Southeast Arm between the Promontory (low ridge rising from the lake) and the eastern shore.
The camera view is south-southeast over Yellowstone Lake from the cell phone tower near Fishing Bridge. Stevenson Island is visible within the lake on the right. The view extends down the Southeast Arm between the Promontory (low ridge rising from the lake) and the eastern shore.