Yellowstone Caldera & Hotspot Quiz
Hotspot, geothermal features, caldera history (10 questions).
Yellowstone Caldera & Hotspot Quiz: Quick Study Notes
Yellowstone National Park sits atop one of the world’s largest active volcanic systems. This quiz tests your knowledge of the deep mantle plume, the violent history of its massive eruptions, and the science behind its iconic hydrothermal features like geysers and hot springs.
Key Takeaways
- Yellowstone is a “supervolcano” powered by a continental hotspot.
- Three major eruptions occurred 2.1 million, 1.3 million, and 631,000 years ago.
- Old Faithful is a cone geyser; Grand Prismatic is the largest hot spring in the US.
- The North American Plate moves Southwest over the stationary plume.
- Hydrothermal features include geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles.
- Thermophiles (heat-loving microbes) create the bright colors in the springs.
Is the Yellowstone volcano currently active?
Yes, the system is active. The ground actively deforms (rises and falls), earthquakes are common, and geothermal features are fueled by underlying heat, though a super-eruption is not expected soon.
What defines a “supervolcano”?
A supervolcano is loosely defined as a volcanic center that has had an eruption of magnitude 8 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI), ejecting more than 1,000 cubic kilometers of material.
How hot is the water in Yellowstone’s geysers?
Water in the geyser basins is often near the boiling point. At Yellowstone’s elevation, water boils at roughly 198°F (92°C). Deep underground reservoirs are significantly hotter.
What causes Old Faithful to erupt?
Groundwater is heated by magma, becomes pressurized in a constriction (plumbing system), and eventually flashes to steam, ejecting the water column above it.
When was the last lava flow at Yellowstone?
While the last major caldera-forming explosion was 631,000 years ago, the most recent lava flows (rhyolitic lava) occurred approximately 70,000 years ago.
GeoQuizzy Editorial Team is a collective of geography educators, researchers, and quiz designers dedicated to creating accurate, engaging, and exam-relevant geography content. The team focuses on physical geography, human geography, maps, landforms, climate, and world regions, transforming core concepts into interactive quizzes that support students, educators, and competitive-exam aspirants. Every quiz published on GeoQuizzy is carefully reviewed for factual accuracy, clarity, and alignment with academic curricula and standardized exams.