The Origin of the Thermal Waters in the Yellowstone National Park. Arnold Hague

AbstractThe behavior of a group of nuclear waste elements (U, Th, Sr, Zr, Sb, Cs, Ba, and Sm.d)u ring hydrothermal alteration of glassy rhyolite is investigated through geochemaical analyses of whole rocks, glass and mineral separates, and thermal waters. Significant enrichments of U, Sr, Sb, Cs, and Ba are found in altered rock relative to unaltered rock. Excess Sr, Cs, and Ba are concentrated in zeolites in altered rock. Excess U is associated with titanomagnetite surfaces. Th, Zr, and Sm are relatively immobile during alteration, and are strongly concentrated in celadonite.

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Radium isotope geochemistry of thermal waters, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta ◽

10.1016/0016-7037(93)90057-4 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 57 (6) ◽

pp. 1203-1214 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

N.C. Sturchio ◽

J.K. Bohlke ◽

F.J. Markun

Keyword(s):

Yellowstone National Park ◽

National Park ◽

Isotope Geochemistry ◽

Thermal Waters ◽

Radium Isotope

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Holocene geo-ecological evolution of Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park (USA)

Quaternary Research ◽

10.1017/qua.2021.42 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-17

Author(s):

Christopher M. Schiller ◽

Cathy Whitlock ◽

Sabrina R. Brown

Keyword(s):

Yellowstone National Park ◽

National Park ◽

Forest Cover ◽

Vegetation History ◽

Fire Regime ◽

Water Discharge ◽

Hydrothermal Activity ◽

Sediment Geochemistry ◽

Thermal Waters ◽

History Of

Abstract Changes in climate and fire regime have long been recognized as drivers of the postglacial vegetation history of Yellowstone National Park, but the effects of locally dramatic hydrothermal activity are poorly known. Multi-proxy records from Goose Lake have been used to describe the history of Lower Geyser Basin where modern hydrothermal activity is widespread. From 10,300 cal yr BP to 3800 cal yr BP, thermal waters discharged into the lake, as evidenced by the deposition of arsenic-rich sediment, fluorite mud, and relatively high δ13Csediment values. Partially thermal conditions affected the limnobiotic composition, but prevailing climate, fire regime, and rhyolitic substrate maintained Pinus contorta forest in the basin, as found throughout the region. At 3800 cal yr BP, thermal water discharge into Goose Lake ceased, as evidenced by a shift in sediment geochemistry and limnobiota. Pollen and charcoal data indicate concurrent grassland development with limited fuel biomass and less fire activity, despite late Holocene climate conditions that were conducive to expanded forest cover. The shift in hydrothermal activity at Goose Lake and establishment of the treeless geyser basin may have been the result of a tectonic event or change in hydroclimate. This record illustrates the complex interactions of geology and climate that govern the development of an active hydrothermal geo-ecosystem.

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