Yellowstone Caldera's Massive Explosions Aren't Imminent

Yellowstone Caldera erupted 631,000 years ago.

The caldera is a volcanic depression spanning Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana.

Several overlapping calderas and lava domes build the volcanic plateau's shape.

Nearby peaks like Mount Washburn are remnants of older volcanic activity.

Over 3,000 earthquakes shake Yellowstone yearly, signaling active underground magma.

The caldera is 30 by 45 miles, seen at Gibbon Falls.

The last supereruption left thick volcanic deposits visible near Madison Junction.

Three major volcanic cycles formed Yellowstone, each with huge ignimbrite eruptions.

The first eruption produced the Huckleberry Ridge Tuff 2.08 million years ago.

Basalt and rhyolite lava filled the caldera, shaping the floor.

Since the last eruption, about 30 lava flows nearly filled Yellowstone Caldera.

Lava flows moved slowly, destroying everything in their path.

Yellowstone’s hotspot causes regional extension and active faults around the caldera.

Volcanic activity comes from rhyolitic magma about 5 km below surface, highly viscous.

Yellowstone Caldera formed in a massive eruption 631,000 years ago.