Initial Publication Date: October 28, 2005
The Yellowstone Plateau-Island Park Region
Route
Start point
Jackson Hole, WyomingEnd point
Ashton, IdahoRoads
U.S. 89/287/191, roads through Yellowstone National ParkTotal distance
152.8 milesGeology
Summary
The Yellowstone Plateau, at the center of one of the Earth's largest volcanic fields, spans the continental divide between the Northern and Middle Rocky Mountains at an average elevation of about 2,400 m. The eruptions of the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field, entirely postdating 2.5 Ma, were exceedingly voluminous but are only the surficial expression of the emplacement of a batholithic volume of rhyolitic magma to high crustal levels. Although the latest eruptions were about 70,000 years ago, an immense hydrothermal system and a variety of geophysical characteristics indicate the continued presence of an active shallow magma chamber.Key Lithologic Features
- volcanic tuffs, including:
- Lava Creek Tuff
- Huckelberry Ridge Tuff
- Mesa Falls Tuff
- rhyolitic lava flows of the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field
- basalts of the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field
- glacial deposits of the Pinedale glaciation
- Mt. Washburn volcanics (Eocene Absaroka volcanic field)
- travertine terrances at Mammoth Hot Springs
- mixed rhyolite and basalts of the Gardner River
- Island Park rhyolite
Structures
- Yellowstone caldera
- Hebgen Fault
- Centennial Fault
- Henry's Fork Caldera
- Big Bend Ridge Caldera
Landforms
- Teton Range
- Pitchstone Plateau
- Lewis River Canyon
- Yellowstone caldera
- Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- Tower Falls and the Narrows of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- Mammoth Hot Springs
- Gallatin Range
- Gibbon Falls
- Yellowstone Plateau
- Hebgen Fault scarp
- Madison Range
- Centennial Range
- Lower Mesa Falls
- Snake River Butte
Other Features
- West Thumb Geyser Basin and hydrotherrmal features (boardwalk loop)
- Mud Volcano hydrothermal area
- Mammoth Hot Springs
- Norris Geyser Basin
- Pocket Basin hydrothermal explosion crater
- hydrothermal features of the Fountain Group
- Midway Geyser Basin
- Upper Geyser Basin
- Quake Lake (earthquake landslide)