A significant bulge has been spotted on the north rim of the Yellowstone caldera, sparking interest and concern about volcanic activity in the area. Geologists refer to this bulge as “volcanic uplift.” It generally takes place when magma or gas shifts underground.
This new uplift, which scientists have named the Norris Uplift Anomaly, first emerged near the Norris Geyser Basin in 1996 before disappearing in 2004. Surprisingly, it reappeared in July 2025 and now stretches about 19 miles across, roughly the size of Chicago. Michael Poland, scientist at the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, highlighted its significant size in a recent interview.
In a monthly update from the observatory, scientists reported that this uplift began in July, indicating a subtle but notable change. While calling a city-sized deformation “subtle” might puzzle some, Poland explained that such changes are challenging to spot without advanced technology. Between July and September, the ground rose nearly 2 centimeters, a shift barely visible to the naked eye but measurable through GPS and advanced radar techniques.
So, what does this mean for the Yellowstone supervolcano? According to Poland, it doesn’t signal an impending eruption. He reassured the public that this is just a part of Yellowstone’s dynamic nature and highlights the effectiveness of new monitoring tools. The area is closely observed, and if any significant changes were to happen, there would be ample warning. Poland emphasized that the current uplift is minor compared to past deformations in other caldera systems and that any hazardous activity would show dramatic increases in deformation, detectable by GPS.
Now, is Yellowstone a danger zone? Yes, it holds risks typical of volcanic areas, but there’s no immediate threat of a supereruption. Over the years, worries about an imminent eruption have circulated online, fueled by dramatic social media posts and videos. For instance, last summer, videos showing animals seemingly evacuating Yellowstone went viral but were misinterpreted. They were merely capturing the animals’ natural migration patterns.
False narratives often claim Yellowstone is “overdue” for a catastrophic eruption, but this idea doesn’t align with scientific understanding. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) states that most supervolcanoes don’t erupt repeatedly; major eruptions are rare. The last significant activity at Yellowstone occurred 0.63 million years ago, and it’s unlikely to happen again soon, if at all.
So, what exactly qualifies as a supervolcano? The USGS defines it as a volcanic center that has had an eruption of magnitude 8 on the Volcano Explosivity Index. That means it erupted over 1,000 cubic kilometers (240 cubic miles) of material at some point. While Yellowstone fits this category, it’s important to note that its eruptions have generally been smaller than VEI 8 events.
In short, while the recent uplift is fascinating, it doesn’t pose an immediate threat. Yellowstone remains a complex ecosystem, and ongoing scientific monitoring ensures we’re kept informed about its changes. For more on this topic and updates from the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, you can check out their official site.
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