If the super volcano on which the park is located erupted today it is estimated it would result in The land below is part of Yellowstone National Park. Finally, Yellowstone National Park has been seeing a resurgence in popularity lately. All Rights Reserved. Weve done our homework so that youll get more than you bargained for. 8. If any of the super volcanoes erupt, it will release gases, debris, and magma high up into the air, drastically changing Earths atmosphere. It is home to the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states as well as hundreds of wildflowers, nine conifers, shrubs like common juniper, sagebrush (many species), Rocky Mountain maple, and three endemic species (found only 4. The earliest known photograph of Old Faithful while it was erupting was taken by William Henry Jackson during an 1872 survey of the park. It is considered that the river provides the origin of the parks name since the Minnetaree Indians called it Yellow Rock River, probably because of the yellowish rock formations that surround it. WebOver the past 2.2 million years, the 17,000 km 2 (6,500 mi 2) Yellowstone Plateau has been shaped by explosive eruptions and profound collapse of the ground, enormously thick lava flows, uplift and extensive faulting, and the erosive power of flowing water and ice. Smaller explosions occur more often and can impact an area tens of feet in diameter, whereas less-frequent, larger eruptions could send hot water and rocks a few thousand feet. The. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. No other huge, super volcano eruptions have happened in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem over the most recent 640,000 years. Today Yellowstonenamed for the Yellowstone River that cuts through the landwelcomes some three million visitors a year who come to camp, hike, and raft, as well as check out the parks amazing natural features and wild animals. Anglers would dip the trout they caught in a nearby hot spring to cook them but the practice was discontinued when an eruption badly burnt an angler in the 1920s. Please be respectful of copyright. 100 Amazing Facts About Americas National Parks Over the past 2.1 million years, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem has experienced three super volcanoes, which are monstrous volcanic eruptions. The South Rim of the Grand Things were looking bleak indeed! 40. Yellowstones first gamekeeper was stationed at Tower-Roosevelt junction and was tasked with preventing the slaughter of animals in the park. 10. The massive caldera on which Yellowstone sits (formed by an eruption approximately 640,000 years ago) was discovered by NASA astronaut and geologist Bob Christiansen using high-altitude photography. Find History on Facebook (Opens in a new window), Find History on Twitter (Opens in a new window), Find History on YouTube (Opens in a new window), Find History on Instagram (Opens in a new window), Find History on TikTok (Opens in a new window), Current one is: March 1.