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
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law helps scientists map geology of Puerto Rico
The resulting data will be used by scientists at the USGS, the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, and other groups to better inform knowledge of geologic hazards, such as earthquakes and landslides, and evaluate natural resources as well as other applications. These investments will help improve various aspects of the Puerto Rican economy and resiliency to natural hazards and resource management issues, such as the risk for damaging earthquakes. Puerto Rico was the site of a magnitude 6.4 earthquake in 2020 that caused extensive damage, including to the important Costa Sur power plant, which resulted in island-wide power outages
Media Alert: Flights Above Puerto Rico to Map Geology
RESTON, Va. A low-flying airplane will soon be visible to residents of Puerto Rico beginning in February and lasting potentially through May 2023. The low-level flights are being coordinated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Their goal is to image geology at the surface and below ground using airborne geophysical technology. This effort represents a collaboration between the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) , Earthquake Hazards Program and Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program . The flights will cover the entire island, as well as surrounding waters. The survey area is marked on the map with a