Yellowstone National Park

Katie Fehribach, Dave Luketic, Maureen McBride, and Erik Elam

LocationLocation

Yellowstone National Park is located in Idaho, Yellowstone National Park is located in Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana Wyoming, and Montana

It spans 3,472 square miles

96% of the park is located in Wyoming

Another 3% is in Montana

And 1% is in Idaho

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First and oldest National Park

GeographyGeography

The continental divide of North America runs diagonally through the southwestern part of the park

The park sits high upon a plateau and is nearly surrounded by mountain ranges on all sides of the Middle Rocky Mountains

The major feature of the Yellowstone Plateau is the Yellowstone Caldera, which is nearly filled with volcanic debris. Within the caldera lies most of Yellowstone Lake which is the largest high-elevation lake in North America MM

The park is famous for its various geysers, hot The park is famous for its various geysers, hot springs, and other geothermal features --and is springs, and other geothermal features --and is home to grizzly bears, wolves, and free-ranging home to grizzly bears, wolves, and free-ranging herds of bison and elk. It is the core of the herds of bison and elk. It is the core of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the largest intact temperate zone ecosystems largest intact temperate zone ecosystems remaining on the planet. remaining on the planet.

Long before any recorded human history in Long before any recorded human history in Yellowstone, a massive volcanic eruption Yellowstone, a massive volcanic eruption spewed an immense volume of ash that covered spewed an immense volume of ash that covered all of the western U.S., much of the Midwest, all of the western U.S., much of the Midwest, northern Mexico and some areas of the eastern northern Mexico and some areas of the eastern Pacific Coast. The eruption dwarfed that of Mt. Pacific Coast. The eruption dwarfed that of Mt. St. Helens in 1980 and left a huge caldera. St. Helens in 1980 and left a huge caldera.

The park was named for the yellow rocks seen The park was named for the yellow rocks seen in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone - a deep in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone - a deep gash in the Yellowstone Plateau that was formed gash in the Yellowstone Plateau that was formed by floods during previous ice ages and by river by floods during previous ice ages and by river erosion from the Yellowstone River.erosion from the Yellowstone River.

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Mountain Ranges that Surround the Mountain Ranges that Surround the National Park:National Park:

* Gallatin Range (to the north-west* Gallatin Range (to the north-west

* Beartooth Mountains (to the north)* Beartooth Mountains (to the north)

* Absaroka Mountains (south-east * Absaroka Mountains (south-east corner)corner)

* Teton Mountains (to the south)* Teton Mountains (to the south)

* Madison Range (to the west)* Madison Range (to the west)

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Some things to do…

Backpacking and Backcountry Camping

Yellowstone has a designated backcountry campsite system, where each campsite has a maximum limit for the number of people allowed per night. The maximum stay per campsite varies from one to three nights per trip.

Biking

Boating

Fishing

Horseback Riding

Picnicking

Hiking

History of Yellowstone History of Yellowstone National ParkNational Park

Timeline of YellowstoneTimeline of Yellowstone THE ICE AGE: 300,00 to 8,500 Years AgoTHE ICE AGE: 300,00 to 8,500 Years Ago

Three glaciers swept through leaving behind the present Three glaciers swept through leaving behind the present landscape.landscape.

This ice slowly melted around 15,000 years agoThis ice slowly melted around 15,000 years ago The melted ice left behind broad hills, lake sediments of silt, The melted ice left behind broad hills, lake sediments of silt,

sand, and gravel, large river valleys.sand, and gravel, large river valleys. Yellowstone HotspotYellowstone Hotspot

Located under the eastern Snake River Plain Located under the eastern Snake River Plain The volcanic activity in Yellowstone also added to it The volcanic activity in Yellowstone also added to it

unique features and landscapeunique features and landscape Caldara Formed 2 Million to 600,000 Years Ago Caldara Formed 2 Million to 600,000 Years Ago

A huge volcanic blast created the Yellowstone Caldera, A huge volcanic blast created the Yellowstone Caldera, an enormous crater more than 1,000 square miles in an enormous crater more than 1,000 square miles in area and 1,000 feet deep. area and 1,000 feet deep.

History Of Yellowstone History Of Yellowstone National ParkNational Park

The Native American Minnetaree tribe called the river "Mi The Native American Minnetaree tribe called the river "Mi tsi a da zi," which means "Rock Yellow River.“tsi a da zi," which means "Rock Yellow River.“

Yellowstone is historically credited to the Native Yellowstone is historically credited to the Native Americans who lived in and around the park area.Americans who lived in and around the park area.

The Yellowstone River has high yellow rock cliffs along its The Yellowstone River has high yellow rock cliffs along its banks in the northern area of the present day park.banks in the northern area of the present day park.

French fur trappers translated this to "Yellow Stone." and French fur trappers translated this to "Yellow Stone." and YellowstoneYellowstone was named. was named.

History of Yellowstone History of Yellowstone National ParkNational Park

Long before any recorded human history in Yellowstone, a massive Long before any recorded human history in Yellowstone, a massive volcanic eruption spewed an immense volume of ash that covered all volcanic eruption spewed an immense volume of ash that covered all of the western U.S. The eruption dwarfed that of Mt. St. Helens in of the western U.S. The eruption dwarfed that of Mt. St. Helens in 1980.1980.

This eruption formed the many beautiful geological features This eruption formed the many beautiful geological features formed what is present dayformed what is present day

1872 - On March 1, President Ulysses Grant signed into existence the 1872 - On March 1, President Ulysses Grant signed into existence the world's first national park. world's first national park.

"set apart as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit "set apart as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people”and enjoyment of the people”

Yellowstone National Park at first was 2.2 million acres of Yellowstone National Park at first was 2.2 million acres of wildernesswilderness

1894 -- The Lacey Act was passed by Congress, giving full protection to 1894 -- The Lacey Act was passed by Congress, giving full protection to wildlife in Yellowstone Park. wildlife in Yellowstone Park.

1929 -- The east boundary and northwest corner of the Park were 1929 -- The east boundary and northwest corner of the Park were enlargedenlarged

Geologic FeaturesGeologic Features

GeysersGeysers

Hot SpringsHot Springs

Mud Pots

Fumaroles

Rivers

GeysersGeysers

Geyser BasinsGeyser Basins1) Norris Geyser Basin1) Norris Geyser Basin

2) Upper Geyser Basin2) Upper Geyser Basin

3) West Thumb3) West Thumb

4) Midway4) Midway

5) Lower5) Lower

Famous Geysers1) Old Faithful

2) Steamboat Geyser

3) Euchinus Geyser

4) Great Fountain Geyser

5) Castle Geyser

How Do Geysers Work?How Do Geysers Work?

Geysers need water, heat and pressure Geysers need water, heat and pressure to work. to work.

A geyser is a hole in the ground that A geyser is a hole in the ground that often releases bursts of steam and hot often releases bursts of steam and hot water. water.

When water seeps into the ground it can When water seeps into the ground it can get heated up deep beneath the earths get heated up deep beneath the earths surface by boiling hot liquid rock – surface by boiling hot liquid rock – magma. magma.

When water gets heated it expands and When water gets heated it expands and rises. The water particles move around rises. The water particles move around really quickly and the water rushes to really quickly and the water rushes to escape. escape.

When the water finds a place to escape When the water finds a place to escape out of the ground it usually does it in a out of the ground it usually does it in a rush and that’s when a geyser is formedrush and that’s when a geyser is formed

Hot SpringsHot Springs

Mammoth Hot Mammoth Hot SpringsSprings

TerracesTravertine Limestone

How a Hot Spring WorksHow a Hot Spring Works

FumerolesFumeroles

Steam VentsSteam Vents

Black Growler Steam Vent

Mud PotsMud Pots

Indian, Artist, and Fountain Paint PotsIndian, Artist, and Fountain Paint Pots

What Causes Mud PotsWhat Causes Mud Pots

Rivers and their FeaturesRivers and their Features

- Yellowstone RiverYellowstone River- Firehole RiverFirehole River- Gibbon RiverGibbon River

WildlifeWildlife

The Grizzly Bear is a The Grizzly Bear is a powerful predator, powerful predator, capable of out sprinting a capable of out sprinting a horse, and weighing as horse, and weighing as much as 350-600 pounds. much as 350-600 pounds. Grizzlies are omnivorous, Grizzlies are omnivorous, meaning they eat both meaning they eat both meat and plants. In meat and plants. In Yellowstone, grizzlies Yellowstone, grizzlies feed on elk, trout, bison feed on elk, trout, bison carrion, pinenuts, carrion, pinenuts, grasses, roots, and grasses, roots, and berries.berries.

The elkThe elk is the most is the most abundant of the big game abundant of the big game animals of Yellowstone animals of Yellowstone Park. Oftentimes reaching Park. Oftentimes reaching the size of a large horse, the size of a large horse, elk can be seen elk can be seen throughout Yellowstone throughout Yellowstone year-around. The cows year-around. The cows and calves oftentimes and calves oftentimes travel in large groups of a travel in large groups of a hundred or more during hundred or more during the summer months, the summer months, while the males tend to while the males tend to travel by themselves or in travel by themselves or in very small groups, very small groups, feeding on grasses and feeding on grasses and tree twigs.tree twigs.

Moose browse on twigs and leaves. Moose browse on twigs and leaves. Willows are an important food Willows are an important food source, and moose also feed on source, and moose also feed on submerged aquatic plants. Moose submerged aquatic plants. Moose are dark in color ranging from brown are dark in color ranging from brown to black. The moose also has long to black. The moose also has long legs which are an adaptation to the legs which are an adaptation to the thick marshes where it feeds and to thick marshes where it feeds and to a habitat that is covered by deep a habitat that is covered by deep snow much of the year.snow much of the year.

The bison (often referred to as The bison (often referred to as buffalo) is truly a majestic animal. buffalo) is truly a majestic animal. An adult bull bison may be six feet An adult bull bison may be six feet tall at the shoulder and weigh 2,000 tall at the shoulder and weigh 2,000 pounds. Females look like the males pounds. Females look like the males except that they are smaller and except that they are smaller and have more slender horns. have more slender horns.

Undoubtedly, one of the more Undoubtedly, one of the more popular species now found in popular species now found in Yellowstone Park is the gray wolf Yellowstone Park is the gray wolf (Canis lupus). The adult male gray (Canis lupus). The adult male gray wolf stands 26 to 38 inches high at wolf stands 26 to 38 inches high at the shoulder and is usually 40 to 58 the shoulder and is usually 40 to 58 inches in length (excluding the inches in length (excluding the tail). Males are 15 to 20 percent tail). Males are 15 to 20 percent larger than females. The weight of larger than females. The weight of gray wolves varies from 40 to 175 gray wolves varies from 40 to 175 pounds.pounds.

Although the coyotes fur varies in Although the coyotes fur varies in color, the majority of adults have color, the majority of adults have grizzled grey coats with a white grizzled grey coats with a white underbelly, bushy tail, and reddish underbelly, bushy tail, and reddish hair on their legs. On average, hair on their legs. On average, coyotes weigh between 30 and 40 coyotes weigh between 30 and 40 pounds, about half that of a wolf.pounds, about half that of a wolf.

Mule deer,Mule deer, also known as black-also known as black-tail deer, are ideally suited to tail deer, are ideally suited to the rugged slopes of the Rocky the rugged slopes of the Rocky Mountains. A large number Mountains. A large number inhabit the park in summer, but inhabit the park in summer, but most migrate to lower most migrate to lower elevations, or "winter range" elevations, or "winter range" outside the park in the winter.outside the park in the winter.

Bald eaglesBald eagles are one of two are one of two species of eagle in Yellowstone, species of eagle in Yellowstone, the other is the golden eagle. the other is the golden eagle. They are raptors and carnivores, They are raptors and carnivores, seeking a diet of fish, waterfowl, seeking a diet of fish, waterfowl, rodents and small mammals. rodents and small mammals. They also scavenge from the They also scavenge from the carcasses of large animals such carcasses of large animals such as elk and bison. as elk and bison.

Viewing WildlifeViewing Wildlife Yellowstone's abundant and Yellowstone's abundant and

diverse wildlife are as diverse wildlife are as famous as its geysers. famous as its geysers. Habitat preferences and Habitat preferences and seasonal cycles of seasonal cycles of movement determine, in a movement determine, in a general sense, where a general sense, where a particular animal may be at particular animal may be at a particular time. Early a particular time. Early morning and evening hours morning and evening hours are when animals tend to be are when animals tend to be feeding and thus are more feeding and thus are more easily seen. easily seen.

Use binoculars or telephoto Use binoculars or telephoto lenses for safe viewing and lenses for safe viewing and to avoid disturbing them. By to avoid disturbing them. By being sensitive to its needs, being sensitive to its needs, you will see more of an you will see more of an animal's natural behavior animal's natural behavior and activity. and activity. If you cause If you cause an animal to move, you an animal to move, you are too close!are too close!

Forest Fire in Forest Fire in YellowstoneYellowstone

1988 -- The worst fire season in Yellowstone's history took place.  1988 -- The worst fire season in Yellowstone's history took place.  Several small wild fires ignited in Yellowstone National Park. Several small wild fires ignited in Yellowstone National Park.

Initially they met the conditions of the prescribed natural fire Initially they met the conditions of the prescribed natural fire policy and were allowed to continue burningpolicy and were allowed to continue burning

The conditions of the fires quickly changedThe conditions of the fires quickly changed Nearly 800,000 acres of Yellowstone were burned in the summer. Nearly 800,000 acres of Yellowstone were burned in the summer. The fires burned some 1.4 million acres in the Yellowstone The fires burned some 1.4 million acres in the Yellowstone

ecosystem between June and October. ecosystem between June and October. 

Forest Fire in Forest Fire in YellowstoneYellowstone

On the worst single day, August 20, 1988, On the worst single day, August 20, 1988, tremendous winds pushed fire across more tremendous winds pushed fire across more than 150,000 acres spreading the firethan 150,000 acres spreading the fire

25,000 firefighters and $120 million dollars 25,000 firefighters and $120 million dollars did little to stop the massive flames.did little to stop the massive flames.

Yellowstone has an average of 22 fires Yellowstone has an average of 22 fires each year.each year.

Vegetation has adapted to fire and in some Vegetation has adapted to fire and in some cases is dependent on fires.cases is dependent on fires.

Fire is a major role in the development of Fire is a major role in the development of the unique ecosystem. the unique ecosystem.

WildfiresWildfires

Landscapes such as those Landscapes such as those seen in Yellowstone have seen in Yellowstone have long been shaped by fire long been shaped by fire and not just the cool, and not just the cool, creeping ground fires creeping ground fires often described as "good" often described as "good" for grass production. The for grass production. The natural history of fire in natural history of fire in the park includes large-the park includes large-scale conflagrations scale conflagrations sweeping across the park’s sweeping across the park’s vast volcanic plateaus, vast volcanic plateaus, hot, wind-driven fires hot, wind-driven fires torching up the trunks to torching up the trunks to the crowns of the pine and the crowns of the pine and fir trees at several fir trees at several hundred-year intervals.hundred-year intervals.

Fire Adapting PlantsFire Adapting Plants Many of Yellowstone’s plant species are fire-Many of Yellowstone’s plant species are fire-

adapted. Some (not all) of the lodgepole pines adapted. Some (not all) of the lodgepole pines ((Pinus contortaPinus contorta), which make up nearly 80% of the ), which make up nearly 80% of the park’s extensive forests, have cones that are park’s extensive forests, have cones that are serotinous sealed by resin until the intense heat of serotinous sealed by resin until the intense heat of fire cracks the bonds and releases the seeds inside. fire cracks the bonds and releases the seeds inside. Fires may stimulate regeneration of sagebrush, Fires may stimulate regeneration of sagebrush, aspen, and willows, but the interactions between aspen, and willows, but the interactions between these plants and fire is complicated by other these plants and fire is complicated by other influences such as grazing levels and climate. influences such as grazing levels and climate. Though above-ground parts of grasses and forbs Though above-ground parts of grasses and forbs are consumed by flames, the below-ground root are consumed by flames, the below-ground root systems typically remain unharmed, and for a few systems typically remain unharmed, and for a few years after fire these plants commonly increase in years after fire these plants commonly increase in productivity.productivity.

Wildfire of 1988Wildfire of 1988 In the first sixteen years of Yellowstone’s natural fire policy In the first sixteen years of Yellowstone’s natural fire policy

(1972-1987), 235 fires were allowed to burn 33,759 acres. (1972-1987), 235 fires were allowed to burn 33,759 acres. Only 15 of those fires were larger than 100 acres, and all of Only 15 of those fires were larger than 100 acres, and all of the fires were extinguished naturally.the fires were extinguished naturally.

The summer of 1988 turned out to be the driest in the The summer of 1988 turned out to be the driest in the park’s recorded history. By July 15, only 8,500 acres had park’s recorded history. By July 15, only 8,500 acres had burned in the entire greater Yellowstone area. Still, due to burned in the entire greater Yellowstone area. Still, due to continued dry conditions, on July 21 by which time fire continued dry conditions, on July 21 by which time fire activity had become noticeable to park visitors and to the activity had become noticeable to park visitors and to the national media the decision was made to suppress all fires. national media the decision was made to suppress all fires. But within a week, fires within the park alone encompassed But within a week, fires within the park alone encompassed more nearly 99,000 acres, and by the end of the month, dry more nearly 99,000 acres, and by the end of the month, dry fuels and high winds combined to make the larger fires fuels and high winds combined to make the larger fires nearly uncontrollable. nearly uncontrollable.

SourcesSources

www.nps.govwww.nps.gov http://www.yellowstone-natl-park.cohttp://www.yellowstone-natl-park.co

m/m/ http://www.yellowstone.net/http://www.yellowstone.net/