The brilliant hues of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone are cut through hydrothermally altered rhyolitic lava flows erupted within Yellowstone caldera. The Yellowstone volcanic field was created during three volcanic cycles over the past 2 million years, each culminating in a voluminous explosive eruption creating a large caldera. Yellowstone's impressive array of hot springs and geysers, part of the most vigorous hydrothermal system in the world, is evidence of a still-active magmatic system.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1984.

Copyrighted image used with permission. All Rights Reserved. Contact photographer for any usage requests.

Yellowstone