The purpose of this course is to provide an understanding of the geology of the Yellowstone Volcanic Center, the largest active explosive continental volcanic center on Earth. To provide the necessary geologic background for understanding the geologic significance of the Yellowstone region, students will first gain insight into volcanism, seismology, geothermal activity, glaciation, and mountain building within the context of the plate tectonics paradigm. Special emphasis will be placed on understanding the controls on and types of volcanic processes characterizing active volcanic regions of differing eruptive styles (explosive and effusive). Differing tectonic models for development of Yellowstone volcanism, the history of caldera formation and related volcanic activity, landscape evolution of the Yellowstone Plateau and surroundings, earthquake hazards, the record of Pleistocene glaciation, geothermal processes and the geomicrobiology of thermal features, and implications of all of these for humanity will be investigated in detail.

Application of new technologies aimed at providing a better understanding of the volcanic and earthquake hazards of the Yellowstone Volcanic Center including use of satellite imagery, the Global Positioning System (GPS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and earthquake seismology will also be explored. In addition, the use of Yellowstone thermal features and their microbial life as comparative analogs for understanding the origin of life on the early earth as well as for the exploration for extinct and extant life in the solar system will also be discussed.

Students will also have the opportunity to explore how integration of various aspects of Yellowstone geology may be usable as focal points for student exploration and investigation in their own classrooms employing varying instructional methods and pedagogies.

This course will consist of 3 days of in-class instruction on campus employing lectures, directed learning experiences, and extensive use of web-based resources, and 2 subsequent days of a field trip designed to explore the geology of the Yellowstone Volcanic Center. The field trip will be designed to specifically examine evidence of caldera formation, differing styles of volcanic eruptions, minerals and microbe interactions at thermal features, consequences of seismic activity, and controls of volcanic activity on such landscape components as topography, soils, plant distribution, and water resources. Lodging for Thursday night (7/23) will be covered by the student lab fee.

Required Textbooks/Materials:

• Windows into the Earth: Geologic Story of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks by Smith, R.B. and Siegel, L.J.. Oxford University Press. ISBN # 0-19-510597-4

Textbooks/Materials are available at the Montana State University Bookstore.

Physical Requirements: Students will be expected to be able to participate in moderate intensity hikes of up to two miles across moderate to steep terrain.

For more information,

contact Diana Paterson at dianap@montana.edu or 406-994-5679.

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