Preliminary Assessment of Volcanic and Hydrothermal Hazards in Yellowstone National Park and Vicinity

Robert L. Christiansen; Jacob B. Lowenstern; Robert B. Smith; Henry Heasler; Lisa A. Morgan; Manuel Nathenson; Larry G. Mastin; L.J. Patrick Muffler; Joel E. Robinson

doi:10.3133/ofr20071071

Preliminary Assessment of Volcanic and Hydrothermal Hazards in Yellowstone National Park and Vicinity

Open-File Report 2007-1071

By: Robert L. Christiansen, Jacob B. Lowenstern, Robert B. Smith, Henry Heasler, Lisa A. Morgan, Manuel Nathenson, Larry G. Mastin, L.J. Patrick Muffler, and Joel E. Robinson

https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20071071

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Abstract

Possible future violent events in the active hydrothermal, magmatic, and tectonic system of Yellowstone National Park pose potential hazards to park visitors and infrastructure. Most of the national park and vicinity are sparsely populated, but significant numbers of people as well as park resources could nevertheless be at risk from these hazards. Depending on the nature and magnitude of a particular hazardous event and the particular time and season when it might occur, 70,000 to more than 100,000 persons could be affected; the most violent events could affect a broader region or even continent-wide areas. This assessment of such hazards is presented both as a guide for future activities of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) and to aid appropriate response planning by the National Park Service and surrounding agencies and communities. Although the assessment is presented here in some technical detail, this summary is intended to be understandable to non-scientists. The principal conclusions also will be made available in other forms, more accessible to general readers.

Suggested Citation

Christiansen, R.L., Lowenstern, J.B., Smith, R.B., Heasler, H., Morgan, L.A., Nathenson, M., Mastin, L.G., Muffler, L.P., Robinson, J., 2007, Preliminary Assessment of Volcanic and Hydrothermal Hazards in Yellowstone National Park and Vicinity (Version 1.0): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1071, iv, 94 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20071071.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

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Additional publication details
Publication type	Report
Publication Subtype	USGS Numbered Series
Title	Preliminary Assessment of Volcanic and Hydrothermal Hazards in Yellowstone National Park and Vicinity
Series title	Open-File Report
Series number	2007-1071
DOI	10.3133/ofr20071071
Edition	Version 1.0
Year Published	2007
Language	ENGLISH
Contributing office(s)	Volcano Hazards Program, Yellowstone Volcano Observatory
Description	iv, 94 p.
Online Only (Y/N)	Y