Old Faithful Virtual Visitor Center

Lobby > Exhibits > Scientific Research > What Lies Beneath > A CAT Scan of Earth

A CAT Scan of Earth

A three-dimensional model shows what the magma chamber beneath the park might look likeThe tomographic data show that the magma body is perhaps 10 to 20 percent melt in a solid rock matrix—similar to a sponge with water in the porous spaces. It extends the length of the Yellowstone caldera and there appear to be two “fingers” of partially molten rock aimed at the ground’s surface. One is near the northeast side of the caldera, the second is in the vicinity of Old Faithful.


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This work is supported by

National Science Foundation    Yellowstone Park Foundation
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