The Yellowstone caldera, located in Yellowstone National Park, is one of the world’s largest active volcanic systems and is the locus of activity associated with the Yellowstone Hotspot. The caldera, a large depression in the Earth’s surface, was created due to three massive volcanic eruptions during the past 2.1 million years.

Presently, more than half of the world’s geysers, hot springs and mudpots can be found within this caldera. Using data from the past two decades, scientists have been able to image the magma reservoir beneath the caldera and what the source region for the magma looks like.

Using data from past eruptions associated with the Yellowstone Hotspot, modern hydrothermal and seismic activity and subsurface imaging we will examine the anatomy of this system from the mantle to the Earth’s surface to examine questions like:

Is a large eruption at Yellowstone possible in the near future and what impact would this have on planet Earth?

Why is Yellowstone a constant source of global catastrophe conspiracy theories?

How can scientists communicate risk effectively without inciting global catastrophe theories when they are unwarranted?