Earthquakes under Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

  • Thread starter Thread starter Astronuc
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Lake
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

An earthquake swarm beneath Yellowstone Lake has recorded over 141 earthquakes, with the University of Utah Seismograph Stations identifying 40 events larger than magnitude 2, including two in the magnitude 3 range. This swarm is similar to a previous event from December 2020, which also occurred in the same area. The seismic activity accounts for approximately 50% of the total seismicity in the Yellowstone region, indicating a pattern of recurring swarms.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of seismic activity and earthquake measurement scales (e.g., Richter scale)
  • Familiarity with the geological features of Yellowstone National Park
  • Knowledge of earthquake monitoring tools and techniques
  • Awareness of historical earthquake swarms in the Yellowstone region
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the geological history of Yellowstone National Park to understand seismic patterns.
  • Explore the University of Utah Seismograph Stations' earthquake monitoring tools and data.
  • Learn about the implications of earthquake swarms on volcanic activity in Yellowstone.
  • Investigate the December 2020 earthquake swarm for comparative analysis.
USEFUL FOR

Seismologists, geologists, park management officials, and anyone interested in the seismic activity and geological phenomena of Yellowstone National Park.

Astronuc
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
2025 Award
Messages
22,498
Reaction score
7,420
An ongoing swarm with more than 141 earthquakes (as of about 11:30 AM MDT) is centered beneath Yellowstone Lake. At this point the University of Utah Seismograph Stations has located 40 earthquakes larger than M2, with two events in the M3 range. The swarm continues, and more locations will be posted throughout the day at https://quake.utah.edu/earthquake-center/quake-map.

Earthquake sequences like these are common and account for roughly 50% of the total seismicity in the Yellowstone region.
The current swarm has some similarities to one that occurred in roughly the same place in December 2020 -- more on that swarm at
https://www.usgs.gov/center-news/an...s_science_products=4#qt-news_science_products

Code:
3.2 Mag, 64 km ESE of West Yellowstone, Montana
2021-07-16 12:44:20 (UTC-07:00) Depth 7.1 km

2.5 Mag, 65 km ESE of West Yellowstone, Montana
2021-07-16 12:41:02 (UTC-07:00) Depth 7.0 km

2.5 Mag, 63 km ESE of West Yellowstone, Montana
2021-07-16 10:22:55 (UTC-07:00) Depth 5.4 km

2.5 Mag, 64 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming
2021-07-16 09:01:26 (UTC-07:00) Depth 2.7 km

2.7 Mag, 63 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming
2021-07-16 09:01:09 (UTC-07:00) Depth 6.6 km

2.9 Mag, 64 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming
2021-07-16 08:22:33 (UTC-07:00) Depth 5.7 km

3.1 Mag, 64 km ESE of West Yellowstone, Montana
2021-07-16 07:12:51 (UTC-07:00) Depth 7.2 km

2.5 Mag, 62 km ESE of West Yellowstone, Montana
2021-07-16 06:12:02 (UTC-07:00) Depth 1.1 km

2.6 Mag, 67 km SSE of Mammoth, Wyoming
2021-07-16 06:00:53 (UTC-07:00) Depth 8.6 km

3.0 Mag, 64 km ESE of West Yellowstone, Montana
2021-07-16 05:54:41 (UTC-07:00) Depth 6.9 km

2.5 Mag, 65 km ESE of West Yellowstone, Montana
2021-07-16 05:30:39 (UTC-07:00) Depth 8.7 km

2.5 Mag, 64 km ESE of West Yellowstone, Montana
2021-07-15 23:25:55 (UTC-07:00) Depth 7.7 km
 

Attachments

  • Eartquakes_Yellowstone_Lake_2021-07-16.png
    Eartquakes_Yellowstone_Lake_2021-07-16.png
    123 KB · Views: 250
  • Informative
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: jedishrfu and davenn

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
758
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
579