How well do you know Yellowstone?
Yellowstone is a land of geysers, hot springs, wildlife and a sleeping supervolcano. Six questions, from easy to hard, with explanations.
Did you know?
- Steamboat Geyser in Yellowstone is the tallest active geyser in the world. Its major eruptions can shoot water more than 300 feet (90 m) into the air, but they are unpredictable and can be years apart.
- Yellowstone Lake is one of the largest high-elevation lakes in North America. It freezes over in winter, often with ice more than 2 feet thick.
- Yellowstone's bison herd, which once dropped to only about two dozen animals, now numbers several thousand. Its genetically important bison have been used to help establish herds elsewhere.
The world's first national park
Yellowstone was established in 1872 as the first national park, protecting a landscape of steaming geysers, colorful hot springs, canyons, lakes and forests. Its geothermal features are powered by heat from deep beneath the Earth's surface, and its wildlife — bison, elk, bears and wolves — makes it one of the best places in North America to see large animals in the wild.
A volcanic heart
Yellowstone lies above a volcanic hotspot that has produced enormous eruptions in the distant past. The heat drives the park's geysers and hot springs. The US Geological Survey's Yellowstone Volcano Observatory monitors earthquakes and ground movement, and scientists say a major eruption is very unlikely in the foreseeable future.
How geysers work
Geysers form when groundwater seeps down, is heated by hot rock and becomes trapped in narrow underground channels. When pressure builds enough, the superheated water flashes into steam and erupts. Old Faithful's regular rhythm makes it the most famous geyser, while Steamboat is the world's tallest active geyser.
Wildlife and ecosystems
The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is one of the largest nearly intact temperate ecosystems on Earth. Bison graze in valleys, elk migrate between seasonal ranges, and grizzly and black bears roam the forests. Visitors must stay at least 25 yards from most animals and 100 yards from bears and wolves.
Safety around thermal areas
Yellowstone's hot springs can be scalding and acidic, and the thin crust around them can break. Visitors must stay on boardwalks and trails. Many injuries in the park happen when people leave safe paths or approach wildlife too closely, so rangers stress respecting the park's natural hazards.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Beyond the geysers, Yellowstone has its own dramatic canyon with yellow and orange rock walls and powerful waterfalls. The Lower Falls drop about 308 feet (94 m), nearly twice the height of Niagara Falls, and viewpoints such as Artist Point are among the park's most photographed spots.