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THERMAL FEATURES & EARTHQUAKES

Quaking Yellowstone Thermal Features & Earthquakes Earthquake Swarms Hebgen Lake Quake Quake Effects

The thermal water of geysers carries dissolved minerals which coat and line the underground passageways. Yellowstone’s frequent earthquakes are essential to keep these conduits open. Without the disturbance of small, periodic earthquakes, the tiny cracks and channels could become blocked by too much mineral.

An earthquake could also cause major changes in Yellowstone's sensitive hydrothermal systems. A quake could cause a previously quiet spring to explode in a hydrothermal eruption, or it could alter a geyser's eruption pattern.

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