How hot is Yellowstone?
Heat is the driving force of Yellowstone’s volcanism and seismicity, but the heat is not atmospheric. In fact, Yellowstone has a cold alpine climate that averages only about 2.2°C annually, barely above freezing. Yellowstone is energized by the enormous amount of heat flowing from the ground in the area of the Yellowstone caldera, where the average heat flow is 30 to 40 times greater than that of an average area elsewhere on Earth’s continents. This enormous heat flow results from the molten rock (magma) in the crust beneath the caldera and provides the energy that helped lift Yellowstone to its lofty altitude. In addition, the magma heats ground water to produce Yellowstone’s famous geysers and hot springs.
