Yellowstone Rising

Accelerated Uplift and Magmatic Intrusion of the Yellowstone Caldera, 2004 to 2006

Published in Science on November 09 2007

The Yellowstone caldera began an extraordinary episode of ground rising in mid-2004, revealed by GPS (Global Positioning System) and InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) measurements, at rates up to 7 cm/yr that is over three times faster than previously observed inflation rates. The caldera-wide accelerated upli ft is interpreted as magmatic recharge of the Yellowstone magma body. While the geodetic observations and mo dels do not imply an impending volcanic eruption or hydrothermal explosion, they are important evidence of on going processes of a large caldera that was produced by a super volcano eruption.

More Information:

• Map of Yellowstone and the GPS net work.
• The University of Utah press release.
• The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory.
• The article at Science.

Yellowstone Volcano Observatory

The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) was established in May 2001 to study and monitor the Yellowstone Volcanic Field. The Observatory is a collaboration between the University of Utah, the U.S. Geological Survey, and Yellowstone National Park. For more information, visit

• The University of Utah YVO page
• The US Geological Survey YVO page
• The Yellowstone National Park home page

Book Announcement

Smith, R. B. and L. Siegel, 2000, Windows into the Earth: The Geologic Story of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, Oxford University Press, New York.

Millions of years ago, the North American continent was dragged over the world's largest continental hotspot, a huge column of hot and molten rock rising from the Earth's interior that traced a 50-mile wide, 500-mile-long path northeastward across Idaho. Generating cataclysmic volcanic eruptions and large earthquakes, the hotspot helped lift the Yellowstone Plateau to more than 7,000 feet, creating the jewel of the U.S. national park system: Yellowstone. At the same time, forces stretching apart the western U.S. created the mountainous glory of Grand Teton National Park.

This book offers expert guidance through this awe-inspiring terrain, bringing to life the forces that have shaped--and continue to shape--the greater Yellowstone-Teton region. Over seventy illustrations--including fifty-two in full color--illuminate the breathtaking beauty of the landscape, while two final chapters provide driving tours of the parks to help visitors enjoy and understand the region's wonders. Fascinating and informative, this book affords us a striking new perspective on Earth's creative forces.

Map of the Yellowstone-Snake River Plain volcanic system and the Yellowstone hotspot showing topography (in color), earthquakes and silicic volcanic centers (Old Yellowstone's, by age in millions of years) (from Smith and Siegel, 2000).