The Yellowstone Hotspot: Right on Track
A hot plume meets the Earth's surface
Rising from the core mantle boundary a hot plume rises to the surface of the Earth. Today it meets the surface at Yellowstone National Park where we see geysers, hot springs, boiling mud pots, and a giant volcanic caldera. In the past the Hotspot poured floods of basaltic lava over much of Oregon and Washington states. Come with us on a 45 min. Virtual Field Trip exploring this amazing story.
Students will start to learn about reading the landscape looking for geological evidence of the Hotspot. Volcanic lava flows, different types of lava and how they relate to eruptions. Don’t miss this geologic adventure that meets standards in Earth Science for 4th grade and above.
Additional resources
The Yellowstone Hotspot
Grade Level: 4–12
Length: 45 minutes (35 of instruction & 5–10 for questions)
Learning Objectives:
- Introduce the concept of hotspot plumes and their interactions at Earth's surface
- Identify two types of lava and their characteristics
- Analyze how hotspots change the landscape over time
