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The long journey of water from Yellowstone’s hot springs and geysers to different oceans

The long journey of water from Yellowstone’s hot springs and geysers to different oceans

Yellowstone’s hot spring waters ultimately flow for thousands of miles before entering the ocean. But waters enter two different oceans—the Gulf of...

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The day that Porkchop Geyser exploded

The day that Porkchop Geyser exploded

Small hydrothermal explosions—steam blasts—are common at Yellowstone, occurring every year or two.  Most happen in the backcountry and are not...

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What causes earthquake swarms at Yellowstone?

What causes earthquake swarms at Yellowstone?

Earthquake swarms are common at Yellowstone, but why do they occur?  Are they driven by magma migration?  Water?  Steady creep along faults?  All...

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Yellowstone’s unconformity—over 60 million years of missing geologic history!

Yellowstone’s unconformity—over 60 million years of missing geologic history!

Visitors to Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park might have noticed an odd geological feature near the top of Mount Everts—an unconformity...

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Henry Wood Elliott and the first map of Yellowstone Lake

Henry Wood Elliott and the first map of Yellowstone Lake

Henry Wood Elliott was a dedicated conservationist and explorer who, in 1871, helped create the first bathymetric map of Yellowstone Lake. Unlike many...

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Yellowstone’s gravest threat to visitors (it’s not what you might think)

Yellowstone’s gravest threat to visitors (it’s not what you might think)

Yellowstone National Park is truly a wonder of nature, globally appreciated for its untamed beauty. Visited by millions each year, tourists travel...

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Travertine: Yellowstone’s Hydrothermal Timekeeper

Travertine: Yellowstone’s Hydrothermal Timekeeper

Standing on the boardwalk next to any of Yellowstone’s hot, steamy, vigorously bubbling hot springs, mud pots, fumaroles, or geysers, you may be...

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YVO’s 2021 field season is underway!

YVO’s 2021 field season is underway!

For half the year, Yellowstone is largely inaccessible to geologists, buried under snow and ice and subject to fierce storms.  By May, however...

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A do-it-yourself guide for estimating the height of geyser eruptions

A do-it-yourself guide for estimating the height of geyser eruptions

Yellowstone Volcano Observatory scientists investigate many aspects of the Yellowstone volcanic system, including the incredible geysers that are a...

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The 2020 Yellowstone Volcano Observatory annual report is now available!

The 2020 Yellowstone Volcano Observatory annual report is now available!

Interested in knowing more about Yellowstone geyser, seismic and deformation activity in 2020?  And the results of research conducted by the...

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The spectacular columns of Sheepeater Cliffs

The spectacular columns of Sheepeater Cliffs

A small side road on the highway between Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Junction leads to Sheepeater Cliffs, a spectacular example of columnar...

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The Queen’s Laundry—the oldest historic building in Yellowstone National Park

The Queen’s Laundry—the oldest historic building in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone is dotted with historic places.  But did you know that the oldest building that is still standing, built 140 years ago, was constructed...

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