Geology of the Heise Volcanic Field, Island Park Basin, and The Yellowstone Volcanic Plateau

The Yellowstone Volcanic Plateau is the youngest volcanic complex at the leading edge of the Eastern Snake River Plain. The plateau consists of the Heise Volcanic Field, the Island Park Basin, and the Yellowstone National Park volcanic plateau. The Yellowstone Volcanic Plateau begins with discussing the Heise-Island Park volcanic center stratigraphy including ignimbrites and rhyolite units, and their correlatives. Pre- and post-caldera volcanism and eruptive center characteristics are presented before discussing the Yellowstone Plateau region. The Yellowstone Plateau stratigraphy and volcanism includes bimodal eruptive sequences of both rhyolitic and basaltic compositions involving at least three cycles of volcanism, collapse, and resurgence. Hydrothermal activity is associated with the most recent activity in the national park. The final chapter presents an organized field tour of the volcanic plateau beginning with the Heise Volcanic Center and ending with stops within the Grand Loop of Yellowstone National Park.

Chapter 1 discusses the Heise Volcanic Center of the Eastern Snake River Plain. Chapter 2 presents post-caldera volcanism of the Heise Volcanic Field. Chapter 3 focuses on the Heise Eruptive Center applying a MELTS model to discuss the constraints on petrogenesis. Chapter 4 begins the Yellowstone Plateau regional discussion. Chapter 5 presents magmo-tectonic evolution. Chapter 6 continues the evolution cycle with discussing the evolution of the Snake River Plain and the Yellowstone volcanic axis. Chapter 7 discusses the origin and evolution of Yellowstone magmas. Chapter 8 presents a discussion on future volcanism in Yellowstone. Chapter 9 begins with an organized field tour of the Yellowstone Volcanic Plateau starting with the Heise volcanic center (5 stops). West Yellowstone National Park follows with 4 stops plus an optional side trip before entering the main Grand Loop portion of the tour (15 stops). Each segment of the field tour represents approximately one day excursions with some days taking more time than other days to complete. Some trail hikes are included with specific stops.