Geology
Understanding the geology of Yellowstone National Park allows the visitor to enjoy the park even more, with a view of how the mountains, lakes and geologic wonders came to be.
- Hike along the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and witness the result of the erosive forces that have continued to sculpt the canyon.
- Visit the Old Faithful Visitor Center and participate in an evening ranger-led program during the summer and the winter seasons.
- Visit the Norris Geyser Basin Museum located 1/4 mile east of Norris Junction just off the Grand Loop Road.
A Yellowstone Geology Lesson
Yellowstone National Park covers 2,221,766 acres and is primarily high, forested, volcanic plateaus that have been carved by glacier movements and flowing streams over the last 2.5 billion years. The elevation of the park averages 8,000 feet, ranging from 5,282 feet in the north, to 11,358 feet in the east. The Continental Divide traverses the park from its southeastern corner to its western boundary.
Volcanic eruptions lie at the heart of the geology of Yellowstone National Park. The major eruptions occurred 2 million years ago, 1.2 million years ago and 600,000 years ago. Due to the geothermal activity, then and now, Yellowstone, as a whole, possesses close to 60 percent of the world's geysers.
Hikes and Attractions
- Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River provides a glimpse of Earth's interior: its waterfalls highlight the boundaries of lava flows and thermal areas.
- Old Faithful to Mammoth Hot Springs is one of the main routes in the Park. This park route passes five geyser basins, West Thumb, Old Faithful, Midway, Lower and Norris as it makes its way toward Mammoth Hot Springs.
- The Terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, allows you to see some of the oldest and newest rocks on earth at the same time.
- The Absarokas Mountains that lie across Yellowstone Lake and form the eastern border of the Park were formed during volcanic eruptions over a 15 million year time span.
- On Specimen Ridge near the Lamar Valley, you can see remnants of mudflows from volcanic eruptions that surrounded trees and created a large petrified forest.
To Learn More About Yellowstone National Park Geology
- Visit any of the Park’s Visitor Centers, explore the exhibits, and view the various information videos.
- Participate in a ranger-led activity to learn more about the geology of Yellowstone National Park.
- Check out the local museums, both in the Park and in the surrounding communities.