The document discusses the climate, geology, hydrology, and weather patterns of Yellowstone National Park. It notes that the park experiences varying levels of sunlight and precipitation throughout the year due to its elevation and location over a volcanic hotspot. Summers are warm with potential thunderstorms while winters are cold with frequent snowfall. The park contains many different rock types due to its volcanic history, including granite, basalt, rhyolite, sandstone, and limestone. Major rivers like the Yellowstone River flow from the mountains within the park out to the Great Plains.

1. Source: Google Earth 1

2. Source: http://www.nrmsc.usgs.gov/files/swans/images/tricore.jpg
2

3. Source: media.away.com/gifs/states/wy/m_gryell.gif 3

4. Source: http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/images/yell_loc ation_map.gif 4

5. The Yellowstone Region receives roughly
between 4 to 6.03* insolation in the spring
(April through June) and starts to decline, from
6 to 4* in the summer (July through Mid-
September). These numbers continue to taper
off in the fall, (late-September through
November) down to rates ≤ 4* and then into
winter (November through the end of May)
with rates of insolation from ~1.5* through
January, increasing to rates ≤ 3* in February
only to increase lightly up through May. Fall
and early winter experience the lowest and
most indirect amount of insolation, while
spring and fall have the highest levels of direct
insolation. The presence of Yellowstone Lake
effects these temperatures the most, followed
by the dense vegetation near the lake. The
Yellowstone area receives the most direct
insolation in June, July, and August with an
averages of 6.03*, 6.24*, and 5.37*,
respectively. The angle of insolation is oblate
during the fall and winter seasons, restricting
the amount of insolation during those
seasons.
*(kWh/m^2/day) – Kilowatt hours per square
meters per day
Souce: http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?wyyell http://www.gaisma.com/en/location/yellowstone-national-park-wyoming.html 5

6. Source: http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?wyyell 6
Amounts of precipitation increase
during seasons of lower insolation
rates. November-March show ≤
1in. of precipitation, before
increasing to 1in. in April, 1.45in.
in May, 1.75in. in June, and sliding
back down to ~1.15in both July
and August.

7. The visiting area’s elevation ranges between 6,500 to 8,000 feet surrounded by
mountain ranges. High elevations increase the amount of direct sunlight and cause
alpine weather patterns to become more dynamic and faster-changing. Due to the
varying elevations and temperatures of the Yellowstone region, thunderstorms are
common during the summer months. Thunderstorms are brought on by the rapid
temperature changes from the day (mid-70’s) dropping to 40’s-30’s and occasionally,
20’s. As the temperatures start to decline and the season transitions into Autumn/fall,
the likelihood of snowstorms increases, brought on by cool temperatures and high
precipitation, and the lack of direct insolation. Bouts of warm Chinook winds, which
are rain shadow winds brought on by the adiabatic warming of air that has dropped a
majority of its moisture on windward slopes, warms up winter temperatures to the
40s and 50s, generally. Average snowfall rates in the area are approximately 150in.,
depending on elevation. Higher elevated areas may see as much as 400in. The
presence of moderate precipitation and low temperatures throughout most months
in the Yellowstone area promotes the likelihood of snow through spring, fall, and
winter. Wind in this area is common through all months due to the geographical
layout of the park (dynamic elevations). Wind rates are likely to increase in the event
of winter and rain storms. The park is subjected to seismic activity all year round.
Source: http://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/things-to-do/plan-your-trip/weather/
http://www.ultimateyellowstonepark.com/Yellowstone/weatherandclimate.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinook_wind http://www.rvingyellowstone.com/YellowstonePics/YellowstoneWeather_4393.jpg 7

8. Source: http://www.yellowstone.climatemps.com/
http://www.nps.gov/features/yell/climateexplorer/index.html
8
I hypothesize that the Yellowstone National
Park is generally in a state of deficit due to the
parks many hydrothermal elements. Any
surplus would be gathered in the cooler
months such as January, February, November,
and December. Utilization would most likely
start as early as May and extend to mid-
August before recharging late-August through
the end of October.

9. Source: http://www.yellowstone.climatemps.com/ https://weatherspark.com/averages/31209/Yellowstone-National-Park-Wyoming-United-States ELEMENTAL
GEOSYSTEMS PG. 165
9
The Yellowstone Park region is
classified differently, depending
on where you are in the region.
This area shows signs of: Dfc, a
humid, subarctic continental
climate with cool summers and
no dry seasons; BSk, cold, semi-arid
climate; Dfb, humid
continental climate. The
Yellowstone area can also be
considered a midlatitude cold
steppe due to location,
elevation, and an average
annual rainfall of ~13in. Winter
temperatures fall drastically
during the season and
temperatures can be described
as frigid.
Wind Average annual temperature for the Directions Over the Entire Year
park May-October are ≥ 40°, while
November-April are ≤ 38°. The
temperatures transition at a reasonable
pace for the park to experience all four
seasons. Annual precipitation is
generally low, however constant,
ranging from 1 to 2in. monthly.
The Yellowstone park experiences various climatic elements due to it’s unique volcanic
construction as well as general elevation. Wind speeds for the area are ≤ 10mph do to high
elevation of the region and are most commonly blowing west, from over the Yellowstone Lake.
The park experiences anywhere from 40-59 days of thunderstorms, low-speed winds, and light
rainfall, yearly(pg.165). Cold wind temperatures are due to the parks nearby location to the
polar jet stream.

10. Source: http://www.geologycafe.com/images/vulcan3.jpg https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2011RM/finalprogram/abstract_187754.htm
http://serc.carleton.edu/research_education/yellowstone_reu/index.html “Metamorphism” http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/geology/publications/bul/1347/images/fig5.jpg
10
Table 1: Basic rocks and types found in the
Yellowstone National Park by Daryn Repasky
Granite is an intrusive, igneous rock
that is created by magma. Granite is
coarse-grained meaning it takes
longer to cool and crystalize from it’s
liquid from due to magma exposure.
The Yellowstone park is home to many
different types of rock due to it’s ancient
history of volcanism, then later, glaciation.
Basalt is formed by the rapid cooling
of basaltic lava and is an extrusive
igneous rock made of a mixture of
minerals. Rhyolite is also formed by
lava; however, rapid cooling may
result in obsidian.
A combination of sand-like minerals and rock
undergoing lithification creates sandstone. The
compression and lithification of chemical contain
sediments produce limestone, namely calcium
carbonate.
Quartzite is the result of sandstone having
undergone the metamorphic process, usually
caused by continental plates crumbling and being
forced upwards (orogenic belts). Limestone or
dolomite that experiences the metamorphic
process creates marble.

11. Source: http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/hotspotparks http://www.geology.sdsu.edu/how_volcanoes_work/Thumblinks/yellowstone_page.html
11
The Yellowstone Park itself was created by various tectonic,
glacial and volcanic processes. I hypothesize that the
Yellowstone region’s crust was formed from stable platforms
of rocks. Due to the historic presence of the Yellowstone
“super volcano” and the park location over a continental hot
spot, it’s safe to say the region is largely volcanic. The park is
situated on a high plateau supported by a thermally
expanded, buoyant mantle, called a mantle plume. The
mantle itself expands and contracts The deformed crustal
formation would have been brought on by bouts of faulting,
folding, and crustal movement caused by various volcanic
eruptions over the course of millions of years. In the wake of
these ancient eruptions, U-shaped valleys were formed, as
well as a few calderas, some of which have been long since
covered by basaltic lava flows and surficial elements.

12. I hypothesize that weathering and mass wasting affect this
region greatly, to a point of the area being entirely different
without it. The Yellowstone National Park is subjected to both
physical and chemical wasting, which play primary roles in the
creation of unique sights and structures in the area. The parks
location over a hotspot enables various geothermic events to
transpire that cause chemical wasting. Notable chemical
wasting processes are salt erosion of the rocks and oxidization
brought on by the hydrothermal elements of the park (hot
springs, geysers, fumaroles) due to the elemental compounds,
like iron oxide, found in the heated water. Physical elements
include landslides, avalanches, creep, transitional slides, rock
fall, pressure release, water erosion, and the creation of joints
by basalt columns. The seismic activity of the region may play
a part in triggering physical weathering effects experienced
throughout the park.
Source: http://surveyofyellowstone.tumblr.com/ http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/images/image_mngr/0-99/img12_800w_500h.jpg http://geo1202.blogspot.com/2011/03/normal-0-false-false-false-
en-us-x-none.html 12

13. Source: http://www.secretyellowstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yellowstonerivers.jpg http://www.secretyellowstone.com/historical-cultural-scientific/rivers-streams-lakes
http://www.scienceclarified.com/landforms/Ocean-Basins-to-Volcanoes/Stream-and-River.html
13
There are various rivers, lakes, streams, and creeks that run from and
through the Yellowstone park. The Yellowstone river spreads across
the continental divide, reaching from the Rocky Mountains within the
park out to the Great Plains where the water flow slows and creates a
floodplain. The Yellowstone River is tributary to the Missouri River and
is a meandering channel with alluvial deposits, waterfalls, and eroding
bedrock. The Yellowstone River Basin flows out into the Great Plains to
be later emptied in the Mississippi River and then the Gulf of Mexico.
At the confluence of the Firehole and Gibbon River’s, the Maddison
River, another tributary to the Missouri River, is formed. The Grand
Canyon of Yellowstone is both a caldera and a remnant of glaciation.
Water erosion overtime helped design the landform of the canyon and
continues to do so via the waterfall that feeds into the canyon today.
The streams in this region are likely ungraded due to the general old-age
of the other near by water systems. It is likely that the park
inhabits both graded and ungraded streams, graded being the more
prominent type. The Snake River is the largest river in Yellowstone
park and is a large tributary of the Colombia river.

14. Mudpots are portions of the earth’s surface that have a limited water supply and are highly acidic. They
form in high-temperature areas and form in areas rich with volcanic ash. Microorganisms that use
hydrogen sulfide, brought to the surface from deep in the earth by a water source, help convert the gas
into sulfuric acid which breaks down rocks into clay and mud.
Source: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/types-landforms-yellowstone-63188.html http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Origin_of_volcanic_caldera_via_analogue_model.gif
Christopherson, ELEMENTAL GEOSYSTEMS (G.15” Volcanoes”) http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2XYaCslOQRo/T6W139QNu9I/AAAAAAAAANw/_E7lGhqwIA4/s1600/domes5.jpeg
14
The Yellowstone National Park is home of various landform types and is known as a “super volcano,” as
most of the park resides inside of an ancient caldera. The unique hydrothermal activity of this hot spot
deserves credit for the extreme and diverse landforms of the region. Calderas, geysers, hot springs,
mudpots, fumaroles, waterfalls, mountains, volcanos, and canyons inhabit the Yellowstone(1).
The force of a
volcanic eruption
cracks and breaks the
upper cone-like walls
around the mouth of
the volcano. Once
emptied, the
volcano’s broken
outer walls collapse
in a circular form,
creating a caldera.
Lakes are sometimes
found in calderas.
Volcanoes are landmasses at the end of a pipe-like structure that comes from within the earth’s crust and ventilate to the
surface. Deep inside a chamber at the base of this structure pools magma, that gets trapped in the pipe and pushed out, causing
a volcanic eruption. (BOOK)
A location on the surface of the earth
that experiences volcanic activity for
great periods of time is called a
hotspot. Upwelling material, like
magma, from the asthenosphere
remains fixed, relative to migrating
plates(2).

15. Geysers are hot springs that erupt periodically. The chambers of magma trapped underground
release heat that is transferred into the surrounding rock. Water that has traveled down into the
earth is then heated by these rocks creating steam that bubbles up.
The bubbles then expand, blocking the path out and creating a pressure that lifts water from the
column until it bursts out from the surface(1).
Hot springs or thermal springs are water
springs with water temperatures greatly
exceeding the regions air temperature. They
release groundwater heated by intrusive bits
of magma. Hot springs are not always
produced by volcanic activity, they can also be
formed by convective circulation(4).
Black Growler
Source: http://yellowpark.weebly.com/geysers.html http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/272775/hot-spring http://www.nps.gov/yell/photosmultimedia/norris-tour-black-growler.htm
http://www.nps.gov/features/yell/slidefile/history/postcards/fjhaynes/Images/11516.jpg 15
fumaroles are cracks in the
earth that release extremely
hot steam. These steam vents
are created by very small
amounts of water under
intense pressure. Water is
forced out and becomes
steam before it reaches the
surface, where it unleashes
busts of steam from the
ground. The Black Growler
steam vent in Yellowstone
reaches temperatures up to
280°F(3).
The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is a result
landmass erosion caused by a caldera eruption
600 thousand years ago. The area was faulted by
the doming action of the caldera before it’s
eruption. The caldera was covered by glaciation by
have long since eroded away(2).
Mammoth Hot Springs
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

16. The northwestern Wyoming mountains, known as the Absoroka Absaroka Mountains
Mountains, spans over ~9,000 square miles and is made up of
andesitic volcanoes. This volcanic field contains 5,000ft of Eocene
andesitic, basaltic, and dacitic volcanoclastic rocks, air-fall tuffs and
intrusive rock(1). Before volcanic activity took roots in the Yellowstone
region, 4,000ft of glaciated ice covered everything. The Absoroka
Mountains creates an eastern boarder for the park and crosses paths
with both the Beartooth Mountain Range and the Gallatin Mountain
Range, located in the northeast and northwest, respectively. The
Washburn Mountain Range and the Red Mountain Range are the only
ranges completely inside the parks boundaries.
Source: http://www.montana.edu/business/images/absaroka-mountains.jpg http://www.wsgs.wyo.gov/research/stratigraphy/AbsarokaRange/Default.aspx
http://www.pbs.org/program/yellowstone/ 16

17. Mollisols, Inceptisols, Entisols, and Alfisols are the soil types most likely to be found in the Yellowstone region, given the
climate of the location. There is potential that Aridisols and Andisols are also found in Yellowstone, however in small amounts,
if any. The region is relatively humid, with cool summers and frigid winters. Mollisols are likely the most dominant type of soil
found in this region, followed by inceptisols, entisols and finally, alfisols. It would seem that certain areas of the Yellowstone
region are likely to be lush, like the alpine mountains, with vegetation that retains moisture well, while other portions are arid
or semiarid, with vegetation similar to those found in highland plains, or semiarid deserts. While Mollisols are rich in organic
material and humus, I believe the local vegetation would spend a great deal of time outside of ideal precipitation levels to
grow fully. Some months out of the year there would be adequate resources while the remainder would be spent in deficit.
The agriculture of the Yellowstone region is likely to have pockets of surplus, and of deficits, depending on their geographic
locations to other processes within the area.
Source: https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/Y/YELLOWSTONE.html http://www.wyomingextension.org/agpubs/pubs/b1069.pdf
http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs_other/rmrs_2013_sikkink_p001.pdf http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ufG_jeBj3s4/T5TsjrmwiZI/AAAAAAAAALA/RHcEHbSTNo4/s1600/Bolg+2+soil+profile+of+K's.jpg
ELEMENTAL GEOSYSTEMS PG. 455 “Soil Taxonomy”
17

18. Over 1,200 species of flowering plants have
been identified in this region. Lupine, Phlox,
and Larkspurs are a few common types of
flowering plants in the area. The blooming
season can be as early as April or as late as
September. Approximately 4/5ths of the park
is forested, Lodgepole Pines being the most
abundant species. Lower elevations consist
greatly of Douglas Fir; Willow and Cottonwood
often growing near streams. Higher elevations
are home to Whitebark Pine and various other
species of Conifer[1].
Whitebark Pine
Source: http://pubs.usgs.gov/wri/wri984269/fig10.gif
Lupine
Larkspur
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/652774/Yellowstone-National-Park/306480/Plant-and-animal-life
http://www.yellowstone.co/wildflowers/wildflowerspage3.htmhttp://fedgycc.org/images/clip_image002_009.jpg 18

19. The Yellowstone region is known for it’s hooved inhabitants,
ranging from Bison to Pronghorn. Various ungulates roam
throughout the park. Both Brown and Black Bear are also
quite common, along with Wolves, Mule Deer, Coyotes, Elk,
Foxes, Weasel, Beaver, Moose, some large cats (Lynx,
Cougar), various species of Bats, Mice, Squirrel, and
Chipmunk. There are six known specie of Hare in the park,
along with predators such as Osprey, Harrier, hawks of many
kind, and many more wild creatures. Because Yellowstone
contains a great deal of biodiversity in such a confined area,
it is able to provide different types of ecosystems with
suitable food and shelter sources for all sorts of wildlife.
Amphibians and reptiles also live in this region, however are
less abundant due to the cold temperatures. The
hydrothermal features attract thermopiles (and other
extremophiles alike), or creatures that can withstand
extreme temperatures, specifically hot in this case.
Thermophilic archaea and Tardigrades (my personal favorite
micro-animal) are likely to be wriggling around the hotter
areas of the park.
Source: http://www.yellowstone.co/animals.htm http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/652774/Yellowstone-National-Park/306480/Plant-and-animal-life 19

20. 20
Task 10d: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/types-landforms-yellowstone-63188.html
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Origin_of_volcanic_caldera_via_analogue_model.gif
Christopherson, ELEMENTAL GEOSYSTEMS (G.15” Volcanoes”)
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-
2XYaCslOQRo/T6W139QNu9I/AAAAAAAAANw/_E7lGhqwIA4/s1600/domes5.jpeg
10 cont: http://yellowpark.weebly.com/geysers.html
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/272775/hot-spring
http://www.nps.gov/yell/photosmultimedia/norris-tour-black-growler.htm
http://www.nps.gov/features/yell/slidefile/history/postcards/fjhaynes/Images/11516.jpg
10 cont: http://www.montana.edu/business/images/absaroka-mountains.jpg
http://www.wsgs.wyo.gov/research/stratigraphy/AbsarokaRange/Default.aspx
http://www.pbs.org/program/yellowstone/
Task 1: Google Earth
Location Map: http://www.nrmsc.usgs.gov/files/swans/images/tricore.jpg
Map 2: media.away.com/gifs/states/wy/m_gryell.gif
Map 3: http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/images/yell_loc ation_map.gif
Task 2: http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?wyyell
http://www.gaisma.com/en/location/yellowstone-national-park-wyoming.html
Task 3: http://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/things-to-do/plan-your-trip/
weather/
http://www.ultimateyellowstonepark.com/Yellowstone/weatherandclimate.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinook_wind
http://www.rvingyellowstone.com/YellowstonePics/YellowstoneWeather_4393.jpg
Task 4: Source: http://www.yellowstone.climatemps.com/
http://www.nps.gov/features/yell/climateexplorer/index.html
Task 5: http://www.yellowstone.climatemps.com/
https://weatherspark.com/averages/31209/Yellowstone-National-Park-Wyoming-United-
States
ELEMENTAL GEOSYSTEMS PG. 165
Task 6: Source: http://www.geologycafe.com/images/vulcan3.jpg
https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2011RM/finalprogram/abstract_187754.htm
http://serc.carleton.edu/research_education/yellowstone_reu/index.html
“Metamorphism”
http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/geology/publications/bul/1347/images/fig5
.jpg
Task 7: http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/hotspotparks
http://www.geology.sdsu.edu/how_volcanoes_work/Thumblinks/yellowstone_page.html
Task 8: http://surveyofyellowstone.tumblr.com/
http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vsc/images/image_mngr/0-99/img12_800w_500h.jpg
http://geo1202.blogspot.com/2011/03/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none.html
Task 9: : http://www.secretyellowstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/yellowstonerivers.jpg
http://www.secretyellowstone.com/historical-cultural-scientific/rivers-streams-lakes
http://www.scienceclarified.com/landforms/Ocean-Basins-to-Volcanoes/Stream-and-River.html
Task 11: https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/Y/YELLOWSTONE.html
http://www.wyomingextension.org/agpubs/pubs/b1069.pdf
http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs_other/rmrs_2013_sikkink_p001.pdf
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-
ufG_jeBj3s4/T5TsjrmwiZI/AAAAAAAAALA/RHcEHbSTNo4/s1600/Bolg+2+soil+profile+of+K's.jpg
ELEMENTAL GEOSYSTEMS PG. 455 “Soil Taxonomy”
Task 12: : http://pubs.usgs.gov/wri/wri984269/fig10.gif
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/652774/Yellowstone-National-Park/306480/Plant-and-animal-
life
http://www.yellowstone.co/wildflowers/wildflowerspage3.htm
http://fedgycc.org/images/clip_image002_009.jpg
12 cont: http://www.yellowstone.co/animals.htm
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/652774/Yellowstone-National-Park/306480/Plant-and-animal-
life