Yellowstone’s geology is one-of-a-kind on this planet. In this course we will start with a brief review of minerals, rocks, plate tectonics, and the geologic time scale. We will then cover the depositional and tectonic history of the park before moving on to its more spectacular recent geology including its early volcanic activity, the origin and movement of the Yellowstone hotspot, the formation of the Yellowstone caldera and its history of mega-eruptions, the huge magma chamber presently under the caldera and the concern for a future eruption. We will also cover the glacial history and deposits at Yellowstone, the many hydrothermal features of Yellowstone including geysers, fumaroles, and mud-pots, as well as geohazards such as hydrothermal explosions and earthquakes, and much more. No prior geology is required but helpful.
