Take a closer look at the curious life of the Yellowstone Caldera

Uncover the caldera’s secrets.

Yellowstone National Park gets a lot of well-deserved attention for its abundant natural beauty. All of the park’s wonders owe a lot to the magnificent Yellowstone Caldera.

A caldera is a depression or crater formed after a large volcanic eruption. Yellowstone Caldera’s history stretches back hundreds of thousands of years. Still, the region continues to fascinate scientists. The U.S. Geological Survey’s Yellowstone Volcano Observatory even has a weekly column discussing the area’s features. Discover what warrants all this interest with these seven facts about the Yellowstone Caldera.

Learn more about Yellowstone with this guide to the park’s best hikes. History buffs can also read up on intriguing Yellowstone stories with this visual timeline.