Yellowstone Caldera
Yellowstone Caldera is a massive volcanic depression beneath Yellowstone National Park, formed by supereruption and ongoing geothermal activity.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | Intermountain West |
| Subregion | Western United States |
| Country | United States |
| State | Wyoming |
| County | Park County |
| District | Yellowstone National Park |
| Timezone | AmericaDenver |
| Latitude | 44.4 |
| Longitude | -110.6 |
| Maps |
7:12 PM LOCAL TIMEYellowstone Caldera is a vast volcanic depression that spans about 30 by 45 miles (50 by 72 km) across parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. It was formed during one of the largest known volcanic eruptions around 640,000 years ago, which ejected hundreds of cubic miles of ash and led to the creation of the current caldera landscape. Today, the caldera is characterized by geothermal features like geysers Old Faithful, hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots, which sit above a still-active magma chamber. Visitors come to witness dynamic landforms, rare geothermal phenomena, and to access extensive multi-use trails for hiking and backcountry travel. Safety is paramount; while the region is incredibly scenic, it also hosts unstable geothermal areas, sudden weather shifts, and high elevation—plan accordingly and stay on designated paths.
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