2007 Q & A
June 15, 2007
When the geysers erupt, is there mist you can feel? If so, is it hot from the "hot spot" or cold by the time you can feel it? Mackenzie, Graham Middle School, Alamance Co.
When a geyser erupts the steam and water blow in the wind. The temperature of the mist is cold because it cools off almost immediately as it exits the geyser.
Can you see the burns on the trees from past fires? Bernard, Lakeside High School, New Hanover Co.
Yes, some of the trees show burn marks on the trunks and limbs. Some are silvery gray where the bark burned off.
Can you actually see places where the Yellowstone caldera is swelling/rising? Jon, Lakeside High School, New Hanover Co.
You can’t actually see the earth rising because it happens at such a slow rate. However, using GPS, scientists are able measure these changes. The ground under the north end of Yellowstone Lake is bulging as much as 6 cm a year. This is causing flooding in the south end of the lake, much like if you lift one side of a pan of water, the other end gets deeper.
How far does mud get thrown out of the mud pots? students from North Lincoln High School, Lincoln Co.
The mud mostly boils within the borders of the mud pot. At the more violent mud pots, the mud will splatter out of the “pot” much like boiling spaghetti sauce on a stove.
What was the most breath-taking view that you saw on your trip? students from North Lincoln High School, Lincoln Co.
We drove into Lamar Valley Tuesday morning and had some activities planned for us. I chose to journal and, as I walked into the stream, I spotted a rock that I thought would be a good place to write. I have never seen a sight as breathtaking—I wrote 8 pages. The snow-capped mountains, bison, antelope, insects, wildflowers, coyote—everything was right. I felt at peace with the world. —Caroline Cordell
Out of all the animals that you have seen in the park which is the rarest and most interesting? Breanna, Topsail Middle School, Pender Co.
There are many animals in this park that are “rare” to us in North Carolina because they are no longer wild in most of their former range. We saw a golden eagle and her chick, a pack of wolves, a fox, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, elk and bears. None of these are common in North Carolina.
Pronghorn Antelope Buck
(Photo taken by Mike Dunn during the 2005 Yellowstone Ecology Institute.)
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