How was the Yellowstone Caldera formed?

The Yellowstone Caldera was formed by a series of massive volcanic supereruptions driven by the underlying Yellowstone hotspot as the North American tectonic plate moved over it. Volcanism began over two million years ago, proceeding through three major cycles of ignimbrite eruptions and caldera collapses. The most recent major supereruption occurred approximately 631,000 to 640,000 years ago, producing the Lava Creek Tuff and creating the present-day caldera structure.

What we know

• The Yellowstone Caldera complex is driven by the Yellowstone hotspot underlying the North American tectonic plate. [2, 3, 4]
• Volcanism in the field began around 2.15 million years ago and proceeded through three major volcanic cycles involving large ignimbrite eruptions and caldera collapses. [2, 4]
• The first major eruption occurred approximately 2.08 million years ago and created the Huckleberry Ridge Caldera. [2, 4]
• The third major supereruption took place between 631,000 and 640,000 years ago, producing the Lava Creek Tuff and forming the present Yellowstone Caldera. [2, 3, 4]

Where to go next

• what caused itWhat is the Yellowstone hotspot?
• what followedWhat are the effects of the active Yellowstone magmatic system?
• how we knowHow do scientists date ancient volcanic eruptions?
• a case in pointWhat is the Henry's Fork Caldera?
• compared withHow does the McDermitt Caldera relate to the Yellowstone hotspot track?
• an unexpected connectionHow is a Nevada caldera linked to Yellowstone?The McDermitt Caldera on the Oregon-Nevada border was formed by the very same Yellowstone hotspot about 16.4 million years ago before tectonic plate movement shifted the hotspot's surface expression to Wyoming.

Sources

• [1]Yellowstone volcano (Wikidata Q650836) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Yellowstone Caldera · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Yellowstone hotspot · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]McDermitt Caldera · CC BY-SA 4.0