Multi-scale geophysical imaging of a hydrothermal system in Yellowstone National Park, USA
JGR Solid Earth
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Abstract
Little is known about the local plumbing systems that fuel Yellowstone’s famous hot springs, geysers and mud pots. A multi-method, multi-scale geophysical investigation was carried out in the Obsidian Pool Thermal Area (OPTA) to: (i) delineate the lateral extent of the hydrothermal area and associated surface features; (ii) estimate the dimensions of the upflow zone and identify its main controlling structures; (iii) assess fluids circulation pathways from depth to surface. Ground and airborne geophysical data were acquired to connect local and regional scales, from shallow to large depths. Maps of surface electrical resistivity show a strong correlation with hydrothermal features. At in-termediate depths, electrical resistivity permits delineating the upper limit of the upflow zone, while Poisson’s ratio highlights differences in subsurface fluid content. Combining these results with surface observations and topographic information, we speculate that differential mixing of hydrothermal and fresh water could explain the wide diversity of features observed at OPTA. Low electrical resistivity observed at large depths also suggest that a vast upflow zone, controlled by rhyolite flows and conjugate faults, underlies the OPTA. We speculate that hydrothermal fluids rise along fractures and reach the surface in topographic lows to form hydrothermal features. Our results show that synoptic, multi-scale geophysical measurements provide a roadmap for understanding where and how geologic heterogeneity, topography, fluid-gas separation, and the mixing of thermal and meteoric waters conspire to produce the wide variety of Yellowstone’s renowned hydrothermal features.
Suggested Citation
Pasquet, S., Holbrook, W.S., Carr, B., Terry, N., Briggs, M.A., Finn, C., Bedrosian, P.A., Auken, E., Pedersen, J., Maurya, P.K., and Sims, K., 2025, Multi-scale geophysical imaging of a hydrothermal system in Yellowstone National Park, USA: JGR Solid Earth, v. 130, no. 4, e2024JB029839, 20 p., https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JB029839.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Multi-scale geophysical imaging of a hydrothermal system in Yellowstone National Park, USA |
| Series title | JGR Solid Earth |
| DOI | 10.1029/2024JB029839 |
| Volume | 130 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Publication Date | March 28, 2025 |
| Year Published | 2025 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | American Geophysical Union |
| Contributing office(s) | WMA - Observing Systems Division |
| Description | e2024JB029839, 20 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Wyoming |
| Other Geospatial | Yellowstone National Park |