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Geologic field-trip guide to the volcanic and hydrothermal landscape of the Yellowstone Plateau

Scientific Investigations Report 2017-5022-P
By: , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175022P

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Abstract

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 shaped by forces of late Cenozoic explosive and effusive volcanism, on-going tectonism, glaciation, and hydrothermal activity. The Yellowstone Caldera is the centerpiece of the Yellowstone Plateau. 

The Yellowstone Plateau lies at the most northeastern front of the 17-Ma Yellowstone hot spot track, one of the few places on Earth where time-transgressive processes on continental crust can be observed in the volcanic and tectonic (faulting and uplift) record at the rate and direction predicted by plate motion. 

Over six days, this field trip presents an intensive overview into volcanism, tectonism, and hydrothermal activity on the Yellowstone Plateau (fig. 1). Field stops are linked directly to conceptual models related to monitoring of the various volcanic, geochemical, hydrothermal, and tectonic aspects of the greater Yellowstone system. Recent interest in young and possible future volcanism at Yellowstone as well as new discoveries and synthesis of previous studies, (for example, tomographic, deformation, gas, aeromagnetic, bathymetric, and seismic surveys), provide a framework in which to discuss volcanic, hydrothermal, and seismic activity in this dynamic region.

Suggested Citation

Morgan, L.A., Shanks, W.C.P., Lowenstern, J.B., Farrell, J.M., and Robinson, J.E., 2017, Geologic field-trip guide to the volcanic and hydrothermal landscape of the Yellowstone Plateau: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2017–5022–P, 100 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175022P.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Preface
  • Contributing Authors
  • Abstract
  • The Yellowstone Hot Spot and Snake River Plain
  • The Yellowstone Magmatic and Hydrothermal System
  • Yellowstone National Park and the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory
  • Road Log
  • References Cited
  • Appendix
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Geologic field-trip guide to the volcanic and hydrothermal landscape of the Yellowstone Plateau
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2017-5022
Chapter P
DOI 10.3133/sir20175022P
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Volcano Science Center
Description Report: xii, 100 p.
Country United States
Other Geospatial Yellowstone Plateau
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details