Did you know that three of the most catastrophic volcanic eruptions in geological history occurred at Yellowstone National Park? 🌋Located in northwestern Wyoming, Yellowstone’s supervolcano is currently dormant: Its last powerful eruption occurred approximately 600,000 years ago. Yet, this sleeping giant is still active.

At Yellowstone today, geothermal activity rumbles beneath the Earth, fueling geysers and hot springs— including the Grand Prismatic Spring, pictured here. Its rings of striking color represent different microbial communities. The bacteria that live in these near-boiling waters endure temperatures of up to 175˚F (79˚C). Entire food chains depend on these microorganisms. Colorful cyanobacteria cover the wet rocks; flies consume the bacteria; mites live on the flies; and the flies are eaten by predatory wolf spiders.

Photo: Carsten Steger, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

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