Volcanic activity bubbling away beneath the Yellowstone National Park in the US appears to be on the move.
New research shows that the reservoirs of magma that fuel the supervolcano‘s wild outbursts seem to be shifting to the northeast of the Yellowstone Caldera. This region could be the new locus of future volcanic activity, according to a team led by seismologist Ninfa Bennington of the US Geological Survey.
“On the basis of the volume of rhyolitic melt storage beneath northeast Yellowstone Caldera, and the region’s direct connection to a lower-crustal heat source, we suggest that the locus of future rhyolitic volcanism has shifted to northeast Yellowstone Caldera,” they write in their paper.
“In contrast, post-caldera rhyolitic volcanism in the previous 160,000 years has occurred across the majority of Yellowstone Caldera with the exclusion of this northeast region.”
Yellowstone is one of the world’s largest supervolcanoes; a vast, complex, dynamic region of Earth’s crust that is both spectacularly beautiful and deeply dangerous.
In the past 2 million years, Yellowstone has undergone three huge, caldera-forming eruptions – those that create the cauldron-like basins on Earth’s surface when a subterranean magma chamber empties and collapses in on the hollowed-out cavity. These huge eruptions have been interspersed with smaller eruptions.
A diagram of the theorized formation of the Yellowstone Caldera. (National Park Service)
The caldera-forming eruptions at Yellowstone are sourced from reservoirs of rhyolitic melt. That’s silica-rich magma, the volcanic equivalent of granite, sticky and viscous and slow-moving, and thought to be stored in vast volumes underneath the Yellowstone region.
Previous studies presumed the rhyolitic reservoirs were supported by deeper reservoirs of basaltic magma – molten material that has a much smaller silica content than rhyolite, but abundant iron and magnesium. It’s also significantly less viscous than rhyolite, but also denser, and the way it conducts electricity differs to rhyolite.
This latter difference in properties gave Bennington and her colleagues the tools they needed to probe the magmatic reservoir contents beneath the Yellowstone Plateau.
One way to monitor activity beneath Earth’s surface involves measuring surface variations in the planet’s magnetic and electric fields. This is known as magnetotellurics, and it’s particularly sensitive to the presence of subsurface melts.
Bennington and her colleagues carried out a wide-scale magnetotelluric survey across the Yellowstone Caldera, and used the resulting data to model the distribution of the melt reservoirs lurking therein.
Their results revealed that there are at least seven distinct regions of high magma content, some of which are feeding into others, at depths between 4 and 47 kilometers (2.5 to 30 miles) beneath the ground – down to the boundary of the crust and mantle.
A map of the reservoirs under Yellowstone. Yellow represents basalt, red rhyolite, and orange basalt-to-rhyolite transition zones. The purple triangles are the magnetotelluric monitoring stations. (Bennington et al., Nature, 2025)
The most interesting melt storage was in the northeast. There, huge reservoirs of basaltic magma in the lower crust heat and maintain chambers of rhyolitic magma in the upper crust. These chambers of rhyolitic magma contain an estimated melt storage volume of around 388 to 489 cubic kilometers – almost an order of magnitude higher than melt storage zones to the south, west, and north, where previous eruptions took place.
This volume, the researchers note, is also comparable to the melt volume of previous caldera-forming eruptions in Yellowstone.
The rhyolitic caldera-forming eruptions, the researchers note, were interspersed with smaller, basaltic eruptions within the caldera. However, it’s unclear exactly how these kinds of eruptions work. The team’s research suggests that the rhyolitic magma chambers have to cool completely before the basaltic magma can move in.
Exactly when and how these future eruptions are going to take place will, the researchers say, require further analysis.
Volcanic Activity Beneath Yellowstone’s Massive Caldera Could Be on The Move : ScienceAlert
Recent research has suggested that the volcanic activity beneath Yellowstone National Park’s massive caldera may be shifting, potentially indicating an increase in volcanic activity. Scientists have long been monitoring the supervolcano, which last erupted over 640,000 years ago, to better understand its behavior and potential risks.
In a new study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, researchers analyzed data collected from a network of seismometers in the park and found evidence of volcanic activity moving beneath the caldera. This movement could indicate that magma is on the move, potentially leading to a future eruption.
While the chances of a catastrophic eruption at Yellowstone are still considered low, scientists continue to monitor the supervolcano closely to better understand its behavior and potential risks. Understanding the movement of magma beneath the caldera is crucial for predicting and preparing for any potential volcanic activity in the future.
Stay tuned for more updates on Yellowstone’s supervolcano and the latest research on volcanic activity in the region.
Scientists are tracking changes at the giant supervolcano that lies under Yellowstone National Park, but they say there’s no need to worry at the moment.
“The western part of the Yellowstone caldera is waning,” said Ninfa Bennington, a volcano geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey and lead author on a paper in Wednesday’s edition of the journal Nature.
The findings mean that the future of volcanic activity at Yellowstone is in the northeastern part of the park, and there’s no chance it’s going to blow anytime soon.
“This volcanic system is not capable of producing that sort of eruption,” Bennington said.
For now, Yellowstone’s mud pots will keep boiling, the hot springs will keep steaming, the geysers will keep spraying, the Earth will keep shaking and the fumaroles will keep venting. The massive underground pools of magma below the storied park are still red-hot, ranging between 1,247 degrees and 2,512 degrees, Bennington said.
Learning more about the magma under Yellowstone
Yellowstone is one of the planet’s largest volcanic systems, a place where a plume of the Earth’s molten core rises up through the solid rock of crust, heating and melting it to form reservoirs of magma 2½ to 30 miles below the surface.
In the past this was often pictured as a single underground lake of lava beneath volcanos, but newer mapping and imaging techniques make it possible to see the complex systems of reservoirs the magma had gathered in.
An imaging technique that produces more precise maps of the large reservoirs of magma under the park shows large pods of deep magma leading up to more shallow ones closer to the surface in the northeast, which tie into the park’s famed hydrothermal systems.
To know how likely a volcano is to erupt, vulcanologists calculate something called a melt fraction. It’s the ratio of how much magma (which they call “melt”) to the total volume of crust.
“Think of the Earth like a sponge,” Bennington said. But instead of water filling the holes and crevices, it’s molten rock. In a volcanically active area, there’s a greater proportion of magma to earth. The higher the proportion of magma, the more eruptible the area is.
The mapping was done using magnetotellurics that measure the electrical conductivity of what lies below the Earth’s surface. Melted rock, magma, is extremely good at conducting electricity, so it makes precise mapping of areas where magma is stored possible. The testing was conducted over several months by scientists from the USGS, Oregon State University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
What they showed was that while there are multiple enormous reservoirs of magma under Yellowstone, they’re separated from one another.
“It would be difficult to mobilize into a single eruption because they’re not connected,” Bennington said.
When will Yellowstone erupt again?
It’s still possible that the northeastern portion of the park could erupt in a massive explosive eruption similar to those that have occurred at Yellowstone in the past 2.1 million years. In those events, volcanic ash reached from the Pacific ocean to Canada to Mexico.
The most recent one was 640,000 years ago. It’s known as a super-eruption because it released an estimated 250 cubic miles of material – 1,000 times larger than the Mount St. Helens eruption in Washington state in 1980.
For now, the spaces in the sponge aren’t full enough of magma to support an eruption. For that to happen, the system would need more magma to fill more spaces in the crust’s “sponge.” Once the system got to some crucial fraction of those spaces filled with magma, it could cause an eruption.
“But we’re not nearly there now,” Bennington said. “We’re talking geological time scale.”
That’s hundreds of thousands of years – and possibly much longer.
Yellowstone National Park’s supervolcano has been making headlines recently due to reported changes in its behavior. Scientists have observed an increase in seismic activity, as well as rising ground temperatures and increased gas emissions.
While these signs are concerning, experts are quick to point out that these changes do not necessarily mean an eruption is imminent. Yellowstone’s volcano is one of the most closely monitored in the world, and scientists are constantly monitoring its activity to ensure the safety of the park and surrounding areas.
Despite the increased activity, the likelihood of a catastrophic eruption at Yellowstone is still considered to be low. The last major eruption occurred over 640,000 years ago, and the volcano is not showing any signs of an impending eruption at this time.
However, it is always important to stay informed and prepared for any potential changes in Yellowstone’s volcano. Visitors to the park should follow any safety guidelines issued by park officials and be aware of any updates on the volcano’s activity.
While the possibility of an eruption is always a concern when dealing with a supervolcano like Yellowstone, it is important to remember that the chances of a catastrophic event are still relatively low. Scientists will continue to monitor the volcano closely and provide updates on any changes in its behavior.
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — On Christmas Day, Yellowstone lost one of its most beloved wolves, 907F, who died due to injuries after a wolf attack from a rival pack and has left a void for many wildlife enthusiasts and experts in the area.
Wolf 907F, referring to her collar number and the F for “female,” was known to many as an iconic figure due to her age and legacy. At over 11 years old, it made her the oldest wolf in the park. Wolves in Yellowstone typically have an average lifespan of just three to four years, and only six wolves have ever been recorded to live beyond 11 years since the species was reintroduced to the park in 1995. The oldest known wolf in the park lived 12 and a half years.
She was the leader of the Junction Butte pack, one of the largest and most well-known packs in the park. A rival pack, the Rescue Creek pack, made their attack on her on Dec. 22, according to witnesses. She died several days later from her injuries. Her passing came as a shock to many, including wolf watcher and enthusiast Krisztina Gayler.
Krisztina Gayler
Wolf 907F
“We just learned yesterday morning that no, she didn’t win this battle. It was hard,” said Gayler.
As a wolf watcher, Gayler had been spotting the wolf nearly every day and said 907F was one of her favorites over the years to keep an eye on.
“All I can say is that she was absolutely remarkable. I know how much she went through, how much struggle she had, just like every single wolf in the wild, but her resilience and how she survived and how she just remarkably kept going,” said Gayler. “She was in a rival position with her own sister, 969. She survived viruses. She survived hunting seasons outside of the park. She just kept going on. That’s the resiliency, which is I think we the humans can learn of.”
Wolf 907F was known to many as an anomaly in the park. In May of this year, she had given birth to her tenth litter of pups, and perhaps the oldest wolf in Yellowstone to do so. She was also blind in one eye.
“You would never know that she was blind in an eye. She was out hunting just like any other wolf she ran along the landscape. It didn’t slow her down at all. That really speaks for her ability to survive and adapt to her environment and what was going on and to live such a long life,” said Deby Dixon, a professional wildlife photographer.
The Gardiner-based photographer was also one of the many who took Wednesday’s news hard. She has been tracking the wolf since 2013, despite the distance 907F would keep away from humans.
“907 was not ever what you would call a photogenic wolf in the way that wolves will sometimes get close to us. She always kept her distance,” said Dixon. “Except on rare occasions, our views of her were pretty far away. I always wished for a close shot of her, but it never really happened.”
Despite the tragic demise, it was eventually expected. Many wolves die from challenges, like hunting or by vehicles, rather than old age. The pack that attacked 907F was originally a part of the Junction Butte one before breaking off and was thought to eventually lead to future troubles for 907F.
“It was almost in my mind, a foregone conclusion that as the Junction Butte pack got smaller, it was a good possibility that this pack would come in and take over by killing 907,” said Dixon.
For enthusiasts, it was comforting knowing that 907F lived and died in the wild, rather than falling victim to human intervention.
“All of us who loves wolves think that at least she died as a wolf in the wild,” said Gayler. “Some of them suffer, some of them die very quick, but at least they don’t end up as a trophy on somebody’s wall.”
“The popularity of 399, it was great. People wanted to see her. They loved her, but the crowds that followed her every day I don’t think are healthy,” said Dixon “907, I think is an exception. She lived a wild life. She wasn’t killed by a hunter. She wasn’t killed by a car. She never got into any trouble. She got to live and die as a wild wolf, and 399 didn’t get that chance.”
Like Grizzly 399, 907F had become one of the most recognizable wolves in the world, with photographers and wildlife enthusiasts traveling from all corners of the globe to catch a glimpse of her in the wild. But beyond her fame, her existence was a testament to the critical role wolves play in the balance of ecosystems at Yellowstone, as without them, it would look dramatically different.
“I think that what a lot of people miss is that the wolves do so much for the ecosystem. They were a missing link in the balance, and without them, the prey populations will grow out of control and areas will become overgrazed again, and diseases like chronic wasting disease will run rampant because the wolves are really good about weeding out the sick animals,” said Dixon.
The passing of 907F marks a significant new chapter for these photographers who have documented her life and signifies the end of an era for the Junction Butte pack. However, her legacy is likely to endure, living on through the countless sightings captured over the years.
“I think I feel so blessed. I feel so lucky to have been able to know these animals to watch their lives. It’s been such a gift,” said Dixon.
To honor 907F, Gayler best remembers and describes her as such:
“Her knowledge was in her body language. Her experience was in her behavior. Her wisdom was in her reactions. Her calming vibe was deeply moving. Her resilience was in her 11 years and eight months. She was 907, the matriarch of the Junction Butte family,” recited Gayler.
Gayler and Dixon, along with many others, hope her story will continue to inspire and inform future generations of wildlife advocates.
“We’ve been saying over and over that they are the most misunderstood species on this earth, especially that they are the most studied mammals in the world, and we’re still doubting of their intelligence and how smart they are,” said Gayler. “A lot of emotions have been created out there when people see wolves. It doesn’t matter if it’s a hunting, if they watch puppies, or they just catch it if they’re howling. There’s a lot of positive changes and excitements happening out there when we see them, and that’s what matters.”
Yellowstone National Park’s beloved wolf, known as 907F, has passed away, leaving wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists all over the world mourning her loss.
907F, a member of the Canyon Pack, was a legendary figure in Yellowstone, known for her strength, intelligence, and leadership within the pack. She played a crucial role in the park’s ecosystem, helping to maintain a healthy balance of predator and prey species.
Her death is a reminder of the challenges faced by wolves in the wild, including habitat loss, hunting, and conflicts with humans. It serves as a call to action for continued efforts to protect and preserve these magnificent animals and the ecosystems they inhabit.
As we mourn the loss of 907F, let us also celebrate her legacy and continue to work towards a future where wolves and other wildlife can thrive in their natural habitats. Rest in peace, 907F. You will be dearly missed.
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Yellowstone wolf, 907F, wildlife enthusiasts, mourning, loss, conservation, Yellowstone National Park, wolf pack, gray wolf, endangered species.
Throughout its run, “Yellowstone” has seen multiple characters killed off, even kicking things off with an unexpected death in the pilot when Lee Dutton meets his fate by the end of the episode. In other words, we’ve learned that series creator and writer Taylor Sheridan isn’t afraid to kill off even beloved characters — as was the case with season 5, part 2’s premier which contained John Dutton‘s highly controversial death scene.
While the deaths of fictional characters might routinely have fans up in arms, the real tragedy is that the show has lost some people connected to its production, too. The premiere of “Yellowstone” season 5, part 2 featured a tribute to bit and spur maker Billy Ray Klapper, while the season 2 finale also ended with a tribute to Melanie Olmstead. But while Klapper made a cameo appearance in the season 5 part 2 premiere, Olmstead never appeared in the series. In fact, she…
Yellowstone’s Melanie Olmstead Tribute Explained
The recent episode of Yellowstone, titled “Going Back to Cali,” featured a touching tribute to the late Melanie Olmstead, a beloved member of the show’s crew who passed away in 2019. The tribute came in the form of a dedication at the end of the episode, which read: “In Loving Memory of Melanie Olmstead.”
Melanie Olmstead was a key member of the Yellowstone crew, serving as the show’s script supervisor. Her contributions to the show were invaluable, and her presence on set was deeply missed by all who knew her. The tribute in the episode was a heartfelt way for the cast and crew to honor her memory and pay tribute to her legacy.
Fans of Yellowstone were quick to express their appreciation for the tribute, with many taking to social media to share their thoughts and memories of Melanie. The dedication served as a reminder of the impact that she had on the show and the people who worked with her.
Overall, the tribute to Melanie Olmstead in the latest episode of Yellowstone was a touching and poignant moment that allowed the cast and crew to remember and honor a beloved member of their team. Her presence will always be felt on the show, and her memory will continue to be cherished by all who knew her.
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Yellowstone, Melanie Olmstead, tribute, character analysis, Kevin Costner, Cole Hauser, Taylor Sheridan, Paramount Network, Western drama, TV series, Yellowstone cast, tribute episode, Kelly Reilly, Luke Grimes, Wes Bentley, Yellowstone fans, Melanie Olmstead death, Yellowstone storyline
Throughout its run, “Yellowstone” has seen multiple characters killed off, even kicking things off with an unexpected death in the pilot when Lee Dutton meets his fate by the end of the episode. In other words, we’ve learned that series creator and writer Taylor Sheridan isn’t afraid to kill off even beloved characters — as was the case with season 5, part 2’s premier which contained John Dutton’s highly controversial death scene.
While the deaths of fictional characters might routinely have fans up in arms, the real tragedy is that the show has lost some people connected to its production, too. The premiere of “Yellowstone” season 5, part 2 featured a tribute to bit and spur maker Billy Ray Klapper, while the season 2 finale also ended with a tribute to Melanie Olmstead. But while Klapper made a cameo appearance in the season 5 part 2 premiere, Olmstead never appeared in the series. In fact, she was never officially credited with having worked on the show in any capacity.
So, who was this mysterious figure who never appeared on camera and whose job on “Yellowstone” remains somewhat of a mystery? Here’s everything we know about Melanie Olmstead and her dedication at the end of the season 2 finale.
Marie Olmstead clearly had an effect on the Yellowstone production
Paramount
Season 2, episode 10 “Sins of the Father” includes Melanie Olmstead’s tribute, which shows up before the credits with a dedication that reads, “In memory of Melanie Olmstead 1968-2019.” Olmstead’s IMDb lists her first job as a location assistant for the 2000 Billy Baldwin film “Primary Suspect.” But her page is otherwise full of driving credits, beginning in 2004 and running right the way through to 2020, though it’s unlikely the IMDb page is an exhaustive list. Olmstead has driving credits for projects such as Ari Aster’s “Hereditary” in 2018, Disney’s “John Carter” in 2012, and “Wind River” in 2017 — a film written and directed by “Yellowstone” creator Taylor Sheridan.
What’s more, all these films spent time shooting in Utah, a state where “Yellowstone” had shot multiple times and frequently filmed at Utah Film Studios in Park City. So, while there’s no “Yellowstone” credit on her IMDb, fans can safely assume Olmstead worked on the show in some capacity. Other sites have reported that Olmstead worked as a transportation and location manager for the series but there’s no official source for that and the actual credits at the end of each episode in season one and two list Morgan Asdel as the transportation coordinator for the series.
While Olmstead’s involvement with “Yellowstone” and how she passed away remains a mystery, then, she clearly had a big enough impact on the series and those who make it to warrant a dedication.
Yellowstone’s Melanie Olmstead Tribute Explained
The recent episode of Yellowstone titled “Going Back to Cali” paid tribute to the late Melanie Olmstead, a longtime crew member of the show who passed away in 2019. The episode featured a poignant scene where the characters gathered around a memorial for Olmstead, reflecting on her impact on the show and their lives.
Olmstead was a beloved member of the Yellowstone family, working as a script supervisor and assistant director on the show. Her dedication, talent, and warm personality left a lasting impression on everyone she worked with, and her presence was deeply missed after her sudden passing.
The tribute in the episode was a heartfelt way for the cast and crew to honor Olmstead’s memory and celebrate her contributions to the show. It was a touching moment that reminded viewers of the impact that behind-the-scenes crew members have on the success of a show like Yellowstone.
As fans continue to watch and enjoy Yellowstone, it’s important to remember and appreciate the hard work and dedication of all the people who bring the show to life. The tribute to Melanie Olmstead was a beautiful reminder of the importance of honoring those who are no longer with us, and the impact they continue to have on our lives.
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Yellowstone, Melanie Olmstead, tribute, Kevin Costner, Taylor Sheridan, Kelly Reilly, Cole Hauser, Wes Bentley, Luke Grimes, Yellowstone cast, Yellowstone series, Yellowstone season 4, Yellowstone characters, Yellowstone storyline, Melanie Olmstead tribute explained, Yellowstone fan theories
Which Yellowstone Cast Member Did Taylor Sheridan Sue? (Photo Credit – Instagram)
Yellowstone fans know Taylor Sheridan’s a master of drama. But what if we told you that some of the most chaotic moments aren’t on-screen? Yeah, Sheridan went full cowboy mode and sued one of his Yellowstone cast members over something unexpected: coffee. And no, it wasn’t Kevin Costner. This time, it was Cole Hauser (Rip Wheeler).
Sheridan’s Bosque Ranch is gunning for Hauser’s Free Rein Coffee over a logo—cue dramatic music. According to Screen Rant, Bosque Ranch—the same ranch where Yellowstone is filmed—has beef with Free Rein’s logo looking way too similar to its own.
Both logos feature intertwined letters—“BR” for Bosque Ranch and “FR” for Free Rein. Sheridan’s suing for trademark infringement, unfair competition, and false advertising, saying Hauser’s brand is trying to confuse the public. Ouch.
But this isn’t Sheridan’s first showdown. In 2023, rumors started swirling about a major fallout between Sheridan and Kevin Costner. Apparently, Costner was dodging filming the second half of Yellowstone season 5. Sheridan was annoyed, and the Yellowstone world braced for some serious behind-the-scenes drama. But Costner and his team quickly shot those rumors down, claiming it was all about unpaid salary and creative differences. Costner even called it quits, and suddenly, Yellowstone season 5 part 2 became its grand finale.
So, while the Duttons were busy unraveling on-screen, Sheridan and Hauser’s coffee-related legal battle was brewing behind the scenes. Sheridan had launched his Bosque Ranch coffee in June, teaming up with Louisiana’s Community Coffee to roast beans that would give you a taste of the West (or, you know, the Duttons). But now it looks like Free Rein might be stirring things up with its logo, trying to ride the coattails of Bosque Ranch’s growing fame.
Is it a branding mistake or an intentional rip-off? Only time will tell, but one thing’s certain—this coffee feud is hotter than a Yellowstone campfire. Taylor Sheridan may have created a show full of epic showdowns, but now he’s playing out his own real-life courtroom drama. So next time you brew a cup of Bosque Ranch coffee, just know it’s not only the Duttons keeping things intense in the West. It turns out that the world of coffee branding can be just as wild.
Who knew that Yellowstone had more drama brewing off-screen than we ever expected?
Yellowstone’s Taylor Sheridan Once Sued This Cast Member Over A Dispute—It Wasn’t Kevin Costner!
Taylor Sheridan, the creator and showrunner of the hit series Yellowstone, is known for his intense storytelling and no-nonsense attitude. But did you know that he once found himself in a legal battle with one of his own cast members?
In a surprising turn of events, it was reported that Taylor Sheridan sued actor Cole Hauser, who plays the tough and loyal ranch hand Rip Wheeler on the show, over a contractual dispute. The details of the lawsuit were kept under wraps, but it was said to have been a heated and contentious battle between the two.
Despite the legal drama, both Sheridan and Hauser were able to put their differences aside and continue working together on Yellowstone. The show has since gone on to become a massive success, with fans eagerly awaiting each new season.
So, while Kevin Costner may be the face of Yellowstone, it was actually Cole Hauser who found himself at odds with the show’s creator. The drama behind the scenes only adds to the allure of the wild and rugged world of Yellowstone.
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Yellowstone, Taylor Sheridan, lawsuit, cast member, dispute, Kevin Costner, lawsuit history, behind the scenes, drama, legal battle, Yellowstone cast, Taylor Sheridan controversy, TV show lawsuit, Yellowstone series, Kevin Costner co-star
