Geology and Evolution of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Route
Start point
Inspiration Point, Yellowstone National Park
End point
Chittenden Bridge, Yellowstone National Park
Roads (and Trails)
paved roads within Yellowstone National Park, North Rim Trail, South Rim Trail, Lookout Trail
Total distance
not given
Geology
Summary
This field guide concerns that part of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone seen by most visitors between Chittenden Bridge and Sevenmile Hole. The focus of the field guide is the stratigraphy and erosional history of the volcanic and sedimentary rocks (all younger than 610 Ka) that are observed in the canyon walls at 11 locations within or adjacent to the canyon: Inspiration Point, Red Rock, Lower and Upper Falls, Cascade Creek, Uncle Toms Trail, Uncle Toms Rest Area, Artist Point, and a location near Chittenden Bridge. The volcanic and sedimentary features observed at the various stops are discussed in terms of a sequential geologic framework.
Key Lithologic Features
- rhyolite flows (e.g., Canyon Rhyolite and Hayden Valley flow), some displaying heavy hydrothermal alteration
- rhyolitic pyroclastics (e.g., Tuff of Uncle Toms Trail and unnamed pumices)
- Pleistocene sediments (mostly alluvial, shallow lacustrine, and glacial in origin)
Structures
Landforms
- Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
Other Features
Reference
Richmond, G.M., 1987, Geology and evolution of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming,
in Beus, S.S., ed.,
Centennial Field Guide Volume 2: Rocky Mountain Section of the Geological Society of America , p. 155-160.
Availability
Out of print.
Check Amazon.com. Digital access to this publication is available via the links in the references section above.
