Yellowstone
Caldera(s) · 2,805m · United States
About Yellowstone
Yellowstone is a caldera(s) rising to 2,805 meters (9,203 feet) in United States's North America Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Yellowstone is located in United States, within the Yellowstone-Snake River Hotspot Volcano Group of the broader North America Volcanic Regions. Situated at 44.43° N, 110.67° W in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. At 2,805 meters above sea level, Yellowstone rises above the surrounding terrain into montane or subalpine conditions. The elevation creates distinct ecological zones along its flanks, from forested lower slopes to exposed rocky terrain near the summit. The volcanic landform is characterized as a caldera, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
GVP Reference Summary
The Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field developed through three volcanic cycles spanning two million years that included some of the world's largest known eruptions. Eruption of the over 2,450 km3 Huckleberry Ridge Tuff about 2.1 million years ago created the more than 75-km-long Island Park caldera. The second cycle concluded with the eruption of the Mesa Falls Tuff around 1.3 million years ago, forming the 16-km-wide Henrys Fork caldera at the western end of the first caldera. Activity subsequently shifted to the present Yellowstone Plateau and culminated 640,000 years ago with the eruption of the over 1,000 km3 Lava Creek Tuff and the formation of the present 45 x 85 km caldera. Resurgent doming subsequently occurred at both the NE and SW sides of the caldera and voluminous (1000 km3) intracaldera rhyolitic lava flows were erupted between 150,000 and 70,000 years ago. No magmatic eruptions have occurred since the late Pleistocene, but large hydrothermal events took place near Yellowstone Lake during the Holocene. Yellowstone is presently the site of one of the world's largest hydrothermal systems, including Earth's largest concentration of geysers.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Yellowstone.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Yellowstone
Is Yellowstone an active volcano?+
Yellowstone is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "unknown." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Yellowstone?+
Yellowstone has a summit elevation of 2,805 meters (9,203 feet) above sea level. At 2,805 meters, it is comparable in height to many significant mountain peaks and stands well above the tree line.
What type of volcano is Yellowstone?+
Yellowstone is classified as a Caldera(s). Caldera(s) volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Yellowstone located?+
Yellowstone is located in United States, in the North America Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Yellowstone-Snake River Hotspot Volcano Group. Its exact coordinates are 44.430° latitude, -110.670° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Yellowstone?+
Yellowstone can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. United States may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
