Author

Michael Poland

Michael Poland

Mike Poland is a research geophysicist with the Cascades Volcano Observatory and the Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. Mike's area of specialization is volcano geodesy, which emphasizes the surface deformation and gravity fields associated with volcanic activity. This work involves the use of space-based technologies, like Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar, as well as ground-based techniques, like microgravity surveys.

COMMENTARY
rand Prismatic Spring from the boardwalk in Yellowstone National Park

That myth about Indigenous people being ‘afraid’ of Yellowstone? Evidence, histories say otherwise.

By: - October 11, 2023

The Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804–1806 never entered the Yellowstone area, although they were tantalizingly close — on the return journey from the Pacific Ocean, a group led by Capt. William Clark passed through present-day Livingston, Montana, and journeyed down the Yellowstone River from that point. Nevertheless, in Clark’s journal of the expedition, in […]

COMMENTARY
Crested Pool, in Upper Geyser Basin near Castle Geyser at Yellowstone National Park

Which is more hazardous to Yellowstone National Park visitors: wildlife or hot springs?

By: - September 13, 2023

Yellowstone National Park is home to an array of “charismatic megafauna” — for instance, elk, bears, bison, wolves and other large mammals. And as the term “wildlife” implies, these animals are, well, wild. Yellowstone National Park requires all visitors to stay at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards […]

COMMENTARY
rand Prismatic Spring from the boardwalk in Yellowstone National Park

If an eruption is so unlikely, why do we monitor Yellowstone National Park at all?

By: - June 13, 2023

A common question asked of Yellowstone Volcano Observatory  scientists is “when will Yellowstone erupt?” And the usual reply is that “an eruption of any sort, either an explosion or a lava flow, is very unlikely in our lifetimes.” This is a true statement — seismic imaging has shown that the magma chamber beneath Yellowstone is […]

COMMENTARY
Yellowstone National Park flooding

2,429 earthquakes, 11 Steamboat Geyser eruptions, floods: Here’s Yellowstone’s 2022 year in review

By: - May 15, 2023

Since 2017, the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory has produced annual reports that contain an abundance of information about a variety of topics — ground deformation trends, earthquake activity, and upgrades to monitoring networks, for example. In addition, there is information about research results and new discoveries, like the recognition of the new thermal area near Tern […]

COMMENTARY
Sunrise at Yellowstone Lake

First geological map of Yellowstone National Park stands test of time

By: - February 22, 2023

The volcanic character of Yellowstone has long been known. An indigenous map drawn on a bison pelt indicating a volcano on the Yellowstone River was described by the governor of Louisiana Territory in an 1805 letter to Thomas Jefferson. The first formal geological studies of the region, however, were not undertaken until the 1870s. In 1871, […]

COMMENTARY
view of Yellowstone Caldera from the Washburn Range

A Christmas (misinformation) story: Yellowstone National Park edition

By: - January 13, 2023

On Oct. 30, 1938, Orson Welles directed and narrated a live radio adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel “The War of the Worlds.” The incident is famous for supposedly having incited a panic that the events being described were really happening. Some people apparently thought that Martians were invading Earth! Fast forward over 80 years […]

COMMENTARY
Yellowstone National Park's Steamboat Geyser

2,500 earthquakes, 26 swarms. 11 Steamboat Geyser eruptions. Here’s Yellowstone’s year in a glance.

By: - January 9, 2023

Any annual review of Yellowstone’s activity has to start with seismicity. Yellowstone is an active place in terms of earthquakes. Typically the University of Utah Seismograph Stations, which is responsible for the operation of the Yellowstone Seismic Network, locates 1,500–2,500 earthquakes every year in the region. Over the last several years, annual seismicity in and around Yellowstone National […]

COMMENTARY

Active, dormant, extinct: Clarifying confusing volcano classifications at Yellowstone and beyond

By: - October 14, 2022

When the subject of volcanoes comes up, you’ll often hear the words “active,” “dormant,” and “extinct.” But what precisely do they mean? Admittedly, use of these terms by volcanologists has been somewhat inconsistent and evolved with time, which has resulted in understandable confusion among non-volcanologists. A simple search for the terms online produces a number […]

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Yellowstone National Park f

How might floods in Yellowstone National Park influence seismic and hydrothermal activity?

By: - June 21, 2022

Last week, flooding at Yellowstone caused catastrophic damage in the region, destroying homes, roads, and bridges, and isolating entire communities. Despite the size of this event, the impacts on seismic and hydrothermal activity are likely to be minor. From June 10-13, 2022, an “atmospheric river” event — a system of warm and extremely wet air […]

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Scientists in Yellowstone National Park

May ushers in new season of geoscience field work in Yellowstone National Park

By: - May 19, 2022

May is an exciting time for geologists when it comes to Yellowstone — by that month, enough snow has usually melted to allow for the start of field work. And the field season typically lasts until October or November. Last week, Yellowstone Volcano Observatory scientists kicked off the field season with several projects. Geophysicists installed […]

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Yellowstone National Park lava flows

Short drive between Yellowstone’s Tower, Canyon junctions showcases millions of years of history

By: - May 10, 2022

The road over Dunraven Pass between Tower and Canyon junctions in the northeast part of Yellowstone National Park exposes an outstanding sequence of geological history, much of which significantly predates recent Yellowstone volcanism. Construction work closed the road during the summers of 2020 and 2021, but the route is scheduled to open to park visitors […]

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birds gather on Yellowstone Lake

2,773 earthquakes were recorded in the Yellowstone National Park area in 2021, annual report says

By: - May 3, 2022

How many earthquakes occurred in the Yellowstone region in 2021? How many times did Steamboat Geyser erupt? What geological mapping was completed during the year? Good questions. And now, the answers to these questions, and more, are all compiled in one easy-to-navigate source — the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory 2021 Annual Report, which can be accessed […]