The Ground Under Yellowstone Lake was Rise as of 2004

The Ground Under Yellowstone Lake

[caption id="attachment_106" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Yellowstone lake. Photo by moonlightbulb[/caption]

Yellowstone lake actually the largest body water in the Yellowstone National Park, United States. This lake is measured 2.376 meter above the sea level and it covers 350 km2 with 177 km of shoreline. In addition, the average depth of this lake is 42 m or 139 feet. Its deepest spot is 118 m. In fact, this lake is the largest lake above 2.133m or 7000 feet in the North America. When winter comes, ice here is nearly 1 meter thick that covers most of the lake area, except where the shallow water is covering hot springs. This lake is freezing over start from the early December and may still frozen until the early of June or late of May.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Yellowstone Lake. Photo by Bernt Rostad[/caption]

Yellowstone Lake was formed once the formation of Yellowstone Caldera. It is about 600.000 years ago. Yellowstone super volcano erupted in every 600.000 years. After the last eruption of Yellowstone Super volcano, lava then flowed to the caldera, collapsed volcano, and the basin was filled with water and forming this lake. Actually, the present lake in Yellowstone National Park is not an original lake that formed after eruption and the original lake is higher in elevation. The volcano is because of eruption again if follow 600.000 year rule. So, if it blows, United States would never be same again.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Yellowstone Lake - Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Ken Lund[/caption]

In the recent years of 2004, ground under this lake is significantly rising. It is actually indicating an increased geological activity. Limited areas of Yellowstone National Park have also been closed for the public. But, as of 2005, there are no areas currently off limited beside of those normally that allowing limited access like around West Thumb Geyser Basin. Under the section of this lake, there is a bulge of 2000 ft long and 100 ft high. Seismic imaging has shown recently that the sediment layers of this lake are tilted. However, how old this feature is still yet established. It s thought that the Yellowstone Lake drained south to Pacific Ocean via Snake River.