Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field | |
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![]() Mount Sheridan, the highest peak in the Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field, fromHeart Lake | |
Highest point | |
Elevation | 11,372[1] ft (3,466 m) |
Coordinates | 44°28′16″N110°30′07″W / 44.471031°N 110.501862°W /44.471031; -110.501862 (Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field) |
Geography | |
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Location | |
Parent range | Rocky Mountains |
Topo map | USGS Yellowstone National Park |
Geology | |
Rock age | ~2,080,000–70,000 years[3] |
Mountain type(s) | Complex volcano,volcanic plateau andvolcanic field[2] |
Last eruption | approximately 631,000 years ago (caldera-forming); 70,000 years ago (in the caldera) |
Climbing | |
Easiest route | Hike/auto/bus |
TheYellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field, also known as theYellowstone Supervolcano or theYellowstone Volcano, is acomplex volcano,volcanic plateau andvolcanic field located mostly in thewesternU.S. state ofWyoming, but it also stretches intoIdaho andMontana.[4][5] It is a popular site for tourists.[6]
The Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field began forming around 2 Ma (million years ago).[7] It has had over 110 differenteruptions and has created mostlyrhyolitic plains, with over 6000 km3 of rhyolitic material formed.[7] Scientists have discovered three major eruptions that formedcalderas. They used methods ofgeological mapping, with both satellites and field work, andpotassium-argon dating, to discover the eruptions.[5] The three major eruptions are:
The Yellowstone Caldera is aresurgent caldera and has experiencedresurgent doming.[8] The Yellowstone Caldera has two resurgent domes formed by magma upwelling called Sour Creek and Mallard Lakes.[8] Themagma chambers under the Yellowstone Caldera provides heat and energy for large hydrothermal systems.[8][9] The Yellowstone Caldera has the greatest concentration ofhydrothermal features in the world, and is an active system.[9] The magma, geothermal activity, and hydrothermal system can lead to caldera motion, ash clouds, andearthquakes, so the Yellowstone Caldera is labeled as ageohazard.[8] A large amount of the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field is in theYellowstone National Park.[5][4][8][9]
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: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)44°28′16″N110°30′07″W / 44.471031°N 110.501862°W /44.471031; -110.501862