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Yellowstone | U.S. Geological Survey
Yellowstone | U.S. Geological Survey
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Yellowstone
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Yellowstone
green NORMAL, 2026-04-01 16:30:25 UTC
Yellowstone
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North Caldera Uplift
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The Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field developed through three volcanic cycles that span two-million years. Two of the eruptions are considered some of the world's largest volcanic events. Yellowstone's youngest eruptions have been lava flows that remain confined to the caldera of present-day Yellowstone National Park. The 77,000 year-old Pitchstone Plateau flow is the volcano's most recent lava.
Quick Facts
Location:
Wyoming and Montana
Latitude:
44.615° N
Longitude:
110.6° W
Elevation:
2,805 m / 9,203 f
Volcano type:
Caldera
Composition:
basalt to rhyolite
Most recent eruption:
70,000 years ago (lava), current hydrothermal explosions
Threat Potential:
High*
*based on the
National Volcano Early Warning System
Summary
The >2450 km
(588 mi
) Huckleberry Ridge Tuff erupted about 2.1 million years ago, creating an approximately 75 km (47 mi) wide caldera and thick volcanic deposits. A second eruption cycle concluded with the much smaller Mesa Falls Tuff around 1.3 million years ago. Activity subsequently shifted to the present Yellowstone Plateau and culminated 640,000 years ago with the eruption of the >1000
km (240 mi
) Lava Creek Tuff and consequent formation of the 45 x 85 km (28 x 53 mi) caldera. Large volumes of rhyolitic lava flows (approximately 600 km
(144 mi
) were erupted in the caldera between 180,000 and 70,000 years ago, distributed primarily along two north-south alignments of vents.
No magmatic eruptions have occurred since then, but large hydrothermal explosions have taken place during the Holocene, including from within and near Yellowstone Lake. Uplift and subsidence of the ground surface is centered on two uplifted regions (the Mallard Lake and Sour Creek resurgent domes). Large earthquakes occur just off the plateau along the nearby Teton and Hebgen Lake faults, the latter of which ruptured in 1959 (Ms = 7.5), causing considerable damage to the region. Yellowstone is presently the site of one of the world's largest hydrothermal systems including Earth's largest concentration of geysers.
No longer in the dark: Shining a light on Yellowstone’s hydrothermal explosions
April 20, 2026
No longer in the dark: Shining a light on Yellowstone’s hydrothermal explosions
The 2024 YVO annual report has just exploded from the presses!
April 13, 2026
The 2024 YVO annual report has just exploded from the presses!
The path of least resistance: Investigating hot spring plumbing systems in Yellowstone using electrical measurements
April 6, 2026
The path of least resistance: Investigating hot spring plumbing systems in Yellowstone using electrical measurements
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October 22, 2018
2018 update to the U.S. Geological Survey national volcanic threat assessment
2018 update to the U.S. Geological Survey national volcanic threat assessment
When erupting, all volcanoes pose a degree of risk to people and infrastructure, however, the risks are not equivalent from one volcano to another because of differences in eruptive style and geographic location. Assessing the relative threats posed by U.S. volcanoes identifies which volcanoes warrant the greatest risk-mitigation efforts by the U.S. Geological Survey and its partners...
Authors
John W. Ewert, Angela K. Diefenbach, David W. Ramsey
By
Volcano Hazards Program
Volcano Science Center
Agrigan
Ahyi Seamount
Alamagan
Anatahan
Asuncion
Belknap
Black Butte Crater Lava Field
Black Rock Desert Volcanic Field
Blue Lake Crater
Carrizozo Lava Flow
Cascade Range Weekly Update
Cinnamon Butte
Clear Lake Volcanic Field
Coso Volcanic Field
Crater Lake
Craters of the Moon Volcanic Field
Daikoku Seamount
Davis Lake Volcanic Field
Devils Garden Lava Field
Diamond Craters Volcanic Field
Dotsero Volcanic Center
East Diamante
Esmeralda Bank
Farallon de Pajaros
Fukujin Seamount
Glacier Peak
Guguan
Haleakalā
Hell's Half Acre Lava Field
Hualālai
Indian Heaven Volcanic Field
Jordan Craters Volcanic Field
Kama‘ehuakanaloa
Kasuga 2
Kīlauea
Lassen Volcanic Center
Long Valley Caldera
Mammoth Mountain
Markagunt Plateau Volcanic Field
Maug Islands
Mauna Kea
Mauna Loa
Medicine Lake
Mono Lake Volcanic Field
Mono-Inyo Craters
Mount Adams
Mount Bachelor
Mount Baker
Mount Hood
Mount Jefferson
Mount Rainier
Mount Shasta
Mount St. Helens
Newberry
Ofu-Olosega
Pagan
Red Hill-Quemado Volcanic Field
Ruby
Salton Buttes
San Francisco Volcanic Field
Sand Mountain Volcanic Field
Sarigan
Soda Lakes
South Sarigan Seamount
Supply Reef
Ta'u Island
Three Sisters
Tutuila Island
Ubehebe Craters
Uinkaret Volcanic Field
Valles Caldera
Wapi Lava Field
Weekly Update
West Crater Volcanic Field
Yellowstone
Zealandia Bank
Zuni-Bandera Volcanic Field
January 8, 2026
Uplift along the north rim of Yellowstone Caldera
An area on the north rim of Yellowstone caldera, to the south of Norris Geyser Basin, started to uplift slightly in July 2025. Similar deformation occurred in the same area during 1996-2004 and reveals characteristics of the subsurface.
By
Volcano Science Center
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory
Yellowstone
Uplift along the north rim of Yellowstone Caldera
January 8, 2026
Uplift along the north rim of Yellowstone Caldera
An area on the north rim of Yellowstone caldera, to the south of Norris Geyser Basin, started to uplift slightly in July 2025. Similar deformation occurred in the same area during 1996-2004 and reveals characteristics of the subsurface.
December 8, 2025
Eyes on Earth Episode 137 – Landsat Takes Yellowstone’s Temperature
How do you keep track of thousands of hot spots in an area the size of Yellowstone National Park? Check out thermal satellite data like Landsat’s!
By
Core Science Systems Mission Area
National Land Imaging Program
Astrogeology Science Center
Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory
Yellowstone
Landsat Missions
Eyes on Earth Episode 137 – Landsat Takes Yellowstone’s Temperature
December 8, 2025
Eyes on Earth Episode 137 – Landsat Takes Yellowstone’s Temperature
How do you keep track of thousands of hot spots in an area the size of Yellowstone National Park? Check out thermal satellite data like Landsat’s!
November 13, 2023
Questions About Monitoring Yellowstone
Answers to questions about monitoring at Yellowstone.
By
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory
Yellowstone
Questions About Monitoring Yellowstone
November 13, 2023
Questions About Monitoring Yellowstone
Answers to questions about monitoring at Yellowstone.
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Infographic giving earthquake, deformation, thermal emission, and geyser statistics for the Yellowstone region for the year 2024
Infographic giving earthquake, deformation, thermal emission, and geyser statistics for the Yellowstone region for the year 2024
Many with arms raised standing in front of am erupting geyser with forest and blue sky in the background
Lone Star Geyser (Yellowstone Monthly Update - April 2026)
Front cover of Yellowstone Volcano Observatory 2024 annual report
Front cover of Yellowstone Volcano Observatory 2024 annual report
Man gesturing in front of a barren landscape with title "The New Norris Hot Spring"
The New Norris Hot Spring (Yellowstone Monthly Update - March 2026)
Google Earth map showing the location of Yellowstone Caldera’s antipode
Google Earth map showing the location of Yellowstone Caldera’s antipode
Surface imagery and subsurface electrical resistivity tomography results from Rosette Spring in Yellowstone’s Lower Geyser Basin
Surface imagery and subsurface electrical resistivity tomography results from Rosette Spring in Yellowstone’s Lower Geyser Basin
Big Ben Volcano on Heard Island
Big Ben Volcano on Heard Island
Echinus temperature record during February 6-7, 2026
Echinus temperature record during February 6-7, 2026
Thumbnail image of a man standing outside holding up his hands and speaking in front of a forest
Measuring Moving Mountains (Yellowstone monthly update - February 2026)
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Quick Facts
Location:
Wyoming and Montana
Latitude:
44.615° N
Longitude:
110.6° W
Elevation:
2,805 m / 9,203 f
Volcano type:
Caldera
Composition:
basalt to rhyolite
Most recent eruption:
70,000 years ago (lava), current hydrothermal explosions
Threat Potential:
High*
*based on the
National Volcano Early Warning System
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