Yellowstone Volcano Observatory

{{Short description|Research center in Wyoming, United States}}

{{Infobox government agency

|agency_name = Yellowstone
Volcano Observatory

|seal = Yvo logo.png

|seal_width = 200px

|seal_caption = Logo of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory

|headquarters = Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

|formed = 2001

|chief1_name = Dr. Michael Poland[https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/yvo-includes-nine-partner-agencies Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, YVO includes nine partner agencies (About)], Retrieved Jan. 19, 2023.

|chief1_position = Scientist-in-Charge (USGS)

|website = https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo

}}

The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) is a volcano observatory that primarily monitors the Yellowstone Caldera in Yellowstone National Park in the United States. The observatory's jurisdiction also includes volcanic centers in the states of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. As with other U.S. volcano observatories, it is funded through the United States Geological Survey [http://volcanoes.usgs.gov Volcano Hazards Program].[http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/ Yellowstone Volcano Observatory]

The observatory consists of nine member agencies:

The United States Geological Survey, the University of Utah, the University of Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park, Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, the Wyoming State Geological Survey, the Idaho Geological Survey, Montana State University, and EarthScope Consortium.{{Cite web | url=http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/yvo_about.html | title=Yellowstone Volcano Observatory | access-date=2014-03-05 | archive-date=2014-05-01 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140501004013/http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/yvo_about.html | url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=YVO includes nine partner agencies |url=https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/yvo-includes-nine-partner-agencies |website=YVO |access-date=14 October 2024}}

YVO was founded in 2001, originally as a three-way partnership with the USGS, the University of Utah and Yellowstone National Park. It was expanded in 2013 to include eight current organizations.{{Cite web | url=http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/yvo_news_archive.html | title=Yellowstone Volcano Observatory News Archive | access-date=2014-03-05 | archive-date=2016-03-04 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093639/http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/yvo_news_archive.html | url-status=dead }}

According to the YVO website, the purpose of the observatory is: to monitor the volcanic system, to increase our scientific understanding of the Yellowstone volcanic and hydrothermal system, and to disseminate data, interpretations and accumulated knowledge to the public.{{Cite web | url=http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/yvo_about.html | title=Yellowstone Volcano Observatory | access-date=2014-03-05 | archive-date=2014-05-01 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140501004013/http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/yvo_about.html | url-status=dead }}

The observatory undertook a monitoring plan in 2006 [http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2006/5276/ U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5276] that served as the basis for upgrades undertaken by the [http://pbo.unavco.org Plate Boundary Observatory], and by the USGS under the auspices of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.[http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/new-sensors-to-monitor-yellowstone-super-volcano/article_f40dfb96-f1d5-11de-b705-001cc4c03286.html 10 new sensors to monitor Yellowstone super volcano: Missoulian, Dec. 25, 2009]

In 2008, it published its initial response plan that sets up a series of internal protocols for data gathering and deliberation during geological events at Yellowstone.[http://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1351/ USGS Circular 1351] Staff from the various observatory partner agencies form several monitoring and information teams that assess geological and geophysical data. The document also outlines how the observatory would interact with the incident command system.

YVO provides a monthly update through its website as well as information statements for events that fall in between their normal updates. All updates are listed on the [http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/activity/status.php#yvo VHP Alert Page]. Individuals can receive automated updates through the [http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns/ Volcano Notification Service].

In 2005, a BBC/Discovery docudrama entitled Supervolcano was released on cable television. The drama imagines the reaction of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory to a super eruption at the Yellowstone Caldera. Producer Ailsa Orr credits YVO scientists as inspiration for the film's three primary characters.[http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/02_february/15/supervolcano_making.shtml Supervolcano erupts onto BBC ONE] The YVO Scientist-in-Charge reflected on the hype associated with volcanism at Yellowstone in a 2005 magazine article.{{Cite web | url=http://www.agiweb.org/geotimes/june05/feature_supervolcano.html | title=Geotimes — June 2005 — Truth, fiction and everything in between at Yellowstone}}