Roadside Geology of Yellowstone Country

Roadside Geology of Yellowstone Country

$958 | Tuition & Lodging
Dates:
June 26 - 29
Location:
Lamar Buffalo Ranch
Meals Included?:
No
Instructors:
Robert C. Thomas, Ph.D.
Age:
18+
Program Type:
Field Seminars
Program Subject:
Geology

One of the best ways for you to understand the geology of the Yellowstone country is to follow the road system in and around Yellowstone National Park. Over the span of three full days, you will explore this rich and varied geologic history of the region and contemplate the potential impacts to humanity of the next eruption of the world's most violent volcano. This class is geared towards the layperson, so no prior geologic experience is necessary.

Within reach of the road system in and around Yellowstone National Park are rocks that record nearly the entire span of Earth's history. You will discover rocks that once formed in the core of Himalayan-sized mountains over 3.5 billion years ago, to mile-thick ice that covered the region as recently as 12,000 years ago. The Yellowstone country is one of Earth's greatest geological laboratories, and the centerpiece of the region is the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field, produced by numerous volcanic eruptions, including three of the most violent eruptions ever on Earth. Geologists call the source of this anomalous volcanic activity the Yellowstone hot spot, a one-of-a-kind feature on the planet.

In all recorded history, no human has experienced a volcanic eruption the size of the eruptions produced by the Yellowstone hot spot during the Quaternary Period (2.6 million to the present). These eruptions are so horrifying to contemplate that they have spawned several disaster films and countless apocalyptic websites with doomsday scenarios for the future of humanity. In recent human experience, volcanic eruptions range from placid tourist attractions like those on the Big Island of Hawaii to relatively minor events like the 1980 eruption of Mount Saint Helens in Washington. In contrast, a large eruption of the Yellowstone hot spot would likely cause global extinctions, climate change, and a significant reduction in the human population. The eruptions are so large that the popular science industry and the media have coined the term "supervolcano" to distinguish their destructive force from run-of-the-mill volcanoes. On days one and two of this program, you will see evidence for two of the three major eruptions that make up the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field, as well as many of the smaller eruptions that filled in the eruptive centers or calderas that formed during the mega eruptions.

The geologic history of the Yellowstone country is much more than its recent volcanic history, however. These relatively recent eruptions blasted their way through nearly 4 billion years of geologic history that is well exposed around the margins of the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field. Day three of your travels will take you to see the older geologic history of the Yellowstone country. In the Beartooth country, you will see Precambrian metamorphic and igneous rocks formed when continents collided, Paleozoic sedimentary rocks deposited in tropical oceans, and fossil forests that were buried by volcanic eruptions that preceded the Yellowstone volcanic field by nearly 50 million years. In addition, you will see how glaciers modified the landscape over the last 130,000 years and how continued climate change is impacting the Yellowstone geo-ecosystem and impacting land-management decisions that are crucial to maintaining the nation's first national park for future visitors.

Most of your time will be spent traveling the road systems in and around the park, with frequent stops to discuss the geologic history. The class will start with an overview on the first morning and will be followed by three days of field excursions. You will start after breakfast, so be prepared to take lunch into the field. The first evening after dinner, you'll spend an hour or so discussing the geology of the Yellowstone country. While this class is being held in summer months, weather on the Yellowstone Plateau and surrounding areas can be quite variable. It is important to bring all gear listed in this letter as well.

About the instructor

Dr. Rob Thomas is a Montana Regents Professor in the Environmental Sciences Department at the University of Montana Western. He is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America and the 2009 Carnegie/CASE U.S. Professor of the Year. He has written ~75 publications, including Roadside Geology of Yellowstone Country and Roadside Geology of Montana, which received the High Plains Book Award.

Testimonials

"I was so thrilled to be a part of this experience and I appreciate all of the organization and work by all of the volunteers who made it so memorable and special! Thank you!!" - Scott, CA

"It was a wonderful trip...please continue the important work of sharing the awe and wonder of Yellowstone NP." - Rebecca, CA

"Rob is a phenomenal teacher and his love for geology is inspiring!" - Blyss, WA

"Incredible instruction on an almost incomprehensibly huge topic presented in a palatable and fun manor. Lighthearted and yet deep." - Sherry, MT

SUMMER ACTIVITY LEVEL SCALE

  • Be prepared to hike up to 1 mile per day, comfortably, through relatively flat terrain on maintained trails.
  • Be prepared to hike up to 3 miles per day, comfortably, with elevation gains up to 600 feet. Some off-trail hiking possible.
  • Be prepared to hike up to 5 miles per day, comfortably, with occasional elevation gains up to 1000 feet in undulating terrain.
  • Be prepared to hike up to 8 miles per day, at a brisk pace, comfortably, with climbs up to 1500 feet on dirt trails. Loose rocks, uneven footing, and off-trail hiking are possible. Good coordination is recommended.
  • Be prepared for brisk aerobic, destination-oriented hiking up to 12 miles a day. You should be physically conditioned to do these hikes comfortably. Elevation changes up to 2000 feet on dirt trails or off-trail. Loose rock, uneven footing, steep hillside traverses, and stream crossings are possible. Good coordination is required.

WINTER ACTIVITY LEVEL SCALE

  • Leisurely hikes up to 1 mile per day through relatively flat terrain on maintained or snow-packed trails.
  • Hikes on snow-packed trails, or snowshoe or ski trips, up to 3 miles per day with climbs up to 250 feet.
  • Brisk hiking, snowshoeing, or skiing up to 5 miles per day with climbs up to 500 feet, including some trail-breaking in snow.
  • Brisk aerobic snowshoeing or skiing up to 8 miles per day with climbs up to 1000 feet; or steep, rugged, off-trail skiing or snowshoeing—including breaking trail in variable snow conditions.
  • Brisk aerobic snowshoeing or skiing up to 12 miles per day with climbs up to 1500 feet; or steep, rugged, off-trail skiing or snowshoeing—including breaking trail in variable snow conditions.