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Volcanic field in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field, also known as the Yellowstone Supervolcano or the Yellowstone Volcano, is a complex volcano, volcanic plateau and volcanic field located mostly in the western U.S. state of Wyoming, but it also stretches into Idaho and Montana. It is a popular site for tourists.
Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Elevation | 10,313[1] ft (3,143 m) |
Coordinates | 44°28′16″N 110°30′07″W |
Geography | |
Location | |
Parent range | Rocky Mountains |
Topo map | USGS Yellowstone National Park |
Geology | |
Age of rock | ~2,080,000–70,000 years[2] |
Mountain type | Complex volcano, volcanic plateau and volcanic field[3] |
Last eruption | approximately 631,000 years ago (caldera-forming); 70,000 years ago (in the caldera) |
Climbing | |
Easiest route | Hike/auto/bus |
The Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field began forming around 2 Ma (million years ago).[4]. It has had over 110 different eruptions and has created mostly rhyolitic plains, with over 6000 km3 of rhyolitic material formed.[4] Scientists have discovered three major eruptions that formed calderas. They used methods of geological mapping, with both satellites and field work, and potassium-argon dating, to discover the eruptions.[5] The three major eruptions are:
Resurgent doming then occurred at both the NE and SW sides of the caldera, and voluminous 1,000 km2 (390 sq mi) intracaldera rhyolitic lava flows were erupted between 150,000 and 70,000 years ago. Phreatic eruptions produced local tephras during the early Holocene. The caldera presently contains one of the world's largest hydrothermal systems including the world's largest concentration of geysers.[7] Much of the plateau is located within Yellowstone National Park.
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