How geology and climate control vegetation composition and distribution in the Yellowstone Geoecosystem
Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This week's contribution is from Cathy Whitlock, Regents Professor with the Department of Earth Science and the Paleoecology Lab at Montana State University. In Yellowstone, geology and ecology go hand in hand. In fact, the geology of Yellowstone can be mapped by its vegetation! For example, the glacial clays in the Lamar and Hayden valleys are rich in nutrients, like calcium and magnesium, and have high water-holding capacity; these qualities favor growth of grassland and sagebrush steppe. These landscapes are called the “Serengeti
Yellowstone National Park: Where geology is on display nearly everywhere!
Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This week's contribution is from Richard Tollo, emeritus Professor of Geology at George Washington University. Yellowstone caldera viewed from Mount Washburn. The caldera is the low-lying area extending from the foothills of Mount Washburn in the foreground to the rugged mountains on the horizon. The incised valley of the Yellowstone River stretches from left to right in the middle distance. Steep valley walls are illuminated by sunlight in the center. Mount Washburn is a remnant andesitic volcano of the Eocene Absaroka Range. The hike