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Yellowstone National Park Scientists Find New Evidence on Complex 631,000-Year-Old Eruption
The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) has released its 2022 annual report that details discoveries and observations made over the past year. The report shows new evidence suggesting that Yellowstone’s last major eruption that happened 631,000 years ago was much more complex than previously thought. Scientists state that additional work is needed to learn more details about the eruption’s history.
The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Annual Report
YVO has released annual reports since 2017 detailing ground deformation trends, earthquake activity, and upgrades to monitoring networks. In the 2022 report, there’s information on new thermal areas, eye-opening research results, and observations of the Yellowstone region.
Earthquake Activity in 2022
The YVO report reveals that there were 2,429 earthquakes recorded in the Yellowstone region in 2022. The largest earthquake recorded was a magnitude 4.2 that occurred on May 11, which was the most significant earthquake in the region since a magnitude 4.4 in 2017. Approximately 66% of the earthquakes took place in swarms that are clustered together in space and time. One such cluster had 60 earthquakes ranging from magnitude 0.1 to 3.7 in March.
Yellowstone Caldera Subsided and Uplifted
The Yellowstone Caldera subsided by 1–2 inches throughout 2022, with a pause in uplift during the summer months due to groundwater recharge from snowmelt. According to the National Park Service, calderas form during large-volume volcanic eruptions when the underlying magma chamber is emptied, and the ground above it sinks into it.
Yellowstone Flooding and Seismic Noise
An atmospheric river event in June caused catastrophic flooding across the Yellowstone region, leading to the closure of the entire national park. Monitoring stations recorded seismic noise associated with the floodwaters. The north and northeast entrance roads remained closed for the summer, with the north entrance reopening at the end of October—more than four months after the flooding event.
New Evidence from 631,000-Year-Old Eruption
The report reveals that Montana State University geologists discovered new units of the Lava Creek Tuff while mapping rocks on the Sour Creek dome on the eastern side of the Yellowstone Caldera. This new evidence suggests that the explosion and resulting ash deposit were much more complex than previously thought. Scientists go on to say that additional work is needed to sort out the eruption’s history.
Conclusion
The YVO annual report reveals insights and discoveries into Yellowstone’s volcanic activity and seismic events. While the 2022 report found the number of earthquakes in the Yellowstone region to be within the range of annual earthquakes, new evidence from the last major eruption’s complexity raises questions to explore.
FAQs
What is the Yellowstone Caldera?
The Yellowstone Caldera is a volcanic feature that formed during a large-volume volcanic eruption. It’s a cauldron-like depression in the ground caused by the underground magma chamber emptying and the ground above sinking into it.
What happened during the Yellowstone flooding event in 2022?
An atmospheric river event in June caused catastrophic flooding across the Yellowstone region, leading to the closure of the entire national park. Monitoring stations recorded seismic noise associated with the floodwaters.
What is a swarm of earthquakes?
A swarm of earthquakes is a cluster of earthquakes that are grouped together in both space and time.
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