PEDD 9606 - The Geology and Natural History of Yellowstone - Part A

Course Description

Yellowstone National Park covers 2.2 million acres. Half of the planet?s thermal features are here, including the world?s tallest active geyser, Steamboat, which erupts to more than 300 feet! There are over 50 different types of mammals, including the gray wolf, lynx, bison, and grizzly bear. Yellowstone is also an active volcano. About 2 million years ago, then 1.3 million years ago and 640,000 years ago the Yellowstone hot spot erupted. The latest eruption released 240 cubic miles of ash and tephra resulting in a 30 by 45-mile caldera. Present day activity is evidenced by geysers and fumaroles and mud pots. On line presentations will be followed by a 2 day filed trip to Yellowstone National Park. On the first day we will explore the South Grand Loop. We will meet at West Yellowstone and stop and discuss Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful, West Thumb Geyser Basin, and Yellowstone Falls among others. On the second day we will travel the western segment of the North Grand Loop stopping at Gibbon Falls, Artist?s Paintpots, and the Norris Geyser Basin.