Yellowstone National Park

Question 1

What Calderas have been formed in Yellowstone?

Answer 1

1. Island Park Caldera (Huckleberry Ridge Tuff)
2. Henry’s Folk Caldera (Mesa Falls Tuff)
3. Yellowstone Caldera (Lava Creek Tuff)

Question 2

What VEI Index are the Yellowstone Caldera Eruptions? Rank them.

Answer 2

All VEI 8!

Huckleberry Tuff has biggest eruptions , followed by Mesa Falls then Lava Creek Tuff.

Question 3

Plate Motion of Yellowstone Caldera Hot Spot moves in what direction?

Answer 3

Towards the left!

Question 4

True or False: The Yellowstone Caldera Hotspot is moving.

Answer 4

False

Question 5

Rank the sizes of Yellowstone Calderas based on Width.

Answer 5

1. Huckleberry Ridge
2. Lava Creek
3. Mesa Falls

Question 6

What is the composition of super eruptions (Yellstone Eruptions)?

Answer 6

Felsic ! (Rhyolite &/or Dacite)

Question 7

Events from Post Yellowstone Eruptions

Answer 7

30 Eruptions of rhyolitic lava flows within caldera. Rhyolite and Basalt are erupted outside of caldera.

Formation of Obsidian cliffs!

Question 8

Why isn’t there basalt inside caldera?

Answer 8

Density. Basalt is more dense than Rhyolite so it cannot go through the center and instead goes through sides. (No Buoyancy)

Question 9

Prediction of Next Eruption?

Answer 9

Small, effusive, rhyolitic eruption with no warning. Phreatic!

Question 10

Ways to Monitor Yellowstone

Answer 10

InSAR, GPS, Yellowstone Volcanic Observatory (Deformation and Seismicity)

Question 11

What is the Fossil of Supervolcanoes?

Answer 11

Granite (magma that wasn’t erupted)