{{Short description|Research center in Wyoming, United States}} {{Infobox government agency |agency_name = Yellowstone<br>Volcano Observatory |seal = Yvo logo.png |seal_width = 200px |seal_caption = Logo of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory |headquarters = Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA |formed = 2001 |chief1_name = Dr. Michael Poland<ref name=yvo-about>{{cite web |title=YVO includes nine partner agencies |url=https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/yvo-includes-nine-partner-agencies |website=USGS |publisher=U.S. Geological Survey |access-date=2026-05-25}}</ref> |chief1_position = Scientist-in-Charge (USGS) |website = https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo }}

The '''Yellowstone Volcano Observatory''' ('''YVO''') is a volcano observatory that primarily monitors the Yellowstone Caldera in Yellowstone National Park in the United States. The observatory's jurisdiction also includes volcanic centers in the states of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. As with other U.S. volcano observatories, it is funded through the United States Geological Survey Volcano Hazards Program.<ref>{{cite web |title=Volcano Hazards Program |url=https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/volcano-updates#yvo |website=USGS |publisher=U.S. Geological Survey |access-date=2026-05-25}}</ref>

Led by the U.S. Geological Survey, the observatory comprises nine member agencies:<ref>{{cite web |title=Partners - Yellowstone Volcano Observatory |url=https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/partners |website=USGS |publisher=U.S. Geological Survey |access-date=2026-05-25}}</ref><ref name=yvo-about /> * EarthScope Consortium * [https://www.idahogeology.org/ Idaho Geological Survey] * [https://www.mbmg.mtech.edu/ Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology] * Montana State University * National Park Service (NPS) * University of Utah * University of Wyoming * [http://www.wsgs.uwyo.edu/ Wyoming State Geological Survey] * Yellowstone National Park

==History== YVO was founded in 2001 as a three-way partnership between the USGS, the University of Utah, and the National Park Service (representing Yellowstone National Park). It was expanded in 2013 to include state Geological Survey organizations from Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, UNAVCO (now known as EarthScope Consortium, since 2023), and the University of Wyoming.<ref name=yvo-about /><ref>{{cite web |title=Founding the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory |url=https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/news/founding-yellowstone-volcano-observatory |website=USGS |publisher=U.S. Geological Survey |access-date=2026-05-25 |date=2020-04-13}}</ref> In 2020, Montana State University was included as the 9th member, to provide specialized geologic expertise in the Yellowstone region.

==Purpose== The purpose of the YVO is to monitor the volcanic system, to increase scientific understanding of the Yellowstone volcanic and hydrothermal system, and to disseminate data, interpretations, and accumulated knowledge to the public.<ref name=yvo-about />

The observatory undertook a monitoring plan in 2006<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lowenstern |first1=Jake |author2=YVO |title=Volcano and Earthquake Monitoring Plan for the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, 2006-2015 - Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5276 |url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2006/5276/ |website=USGS |publisher=U.S. Geological Survey |access-date=2026-05-25 |date=2008-02-19}}</ref> that served as the basis for upgrades undertaken by the Plate Boundary Observatory, and by the USGS under the auspices of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.<ref>{{cite news |last=French |first=Brett |title=10 new sensors to monitor Yellowstone super volcano |url=https://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/new-sensors-to-monitor-yellowstone-super-volcano/article_f40dfb96-f1d5-11de-b705-001cc4c03286.html |publisher=Billings Gazette |date=2009-12-25 |access-date=2026-05-25}}</ref>

In 2008, YVO published its initial response plan, that sets up a series of internal protocols for data gathering and deliberation during geological events at Yellowstone.<ref>{{cite web |author1=YVO |title=Protocols for Geologic Hazards Response by the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory |url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/1351/ |website=USGS |publisher=U.S. Geological Survey |access-date=2026-05-25 |date=2010-07-29}}</ref> Staff from the various observatory partner agencies form several monitoring and information teams that assess geological and geophysical data. The response plan also outlines how the observatory would interact with the incident command system.

YVO provides monthly updates through its website. It also releases informational statements for events that occur outside normal updates, through the [https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP/volcano-updates VHP Alert Page]. Individuals can receive automatic updates through the [https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns/ Volcano Notification Service].

==Media portrayal== In 2005, a BBC World Service's Discovery docudrama entitled "Supervolcano" was released on cable television. The film imagines the reaction of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory to a supereruption at the Yellowstone Caldera.

Producer Ailsa Orr credited YVO scientists as inspiration for the film's three primary characters.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Press Office |title=Supervolcano erupts onto BBC ONE - The Making of Supervolcano |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2005/02_february/15/supervolcano_making.shtml |publisher=BBC |date=2005-02-15 |access-date=2026-05-25}}</ref> The YVO Scientist-in-Charge reflected on the hype associated with volcanism at Yellowstone in a 2005 Geotimes magazine article.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lowenstern |first=Jacob B. |title=Truth, fiction and everything in between at Yellowstone |url=https://www.usgs.gov/news/truth-fiction-and-everything-between-yellowstone |website=USGS |publisher=U.S. Geological Survey |access-date=2026-05-25 |date=2005-06-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Lowenstern |first=Jake |title=Truth, Fiction and Everything in Between at Yellowstone |journal=Yellowstone Science |date=Summer 2005 |volume=13 |issue=3 |pages=17-22 |url=https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/upload/YS_13_3_sm.pdf |access-date=2026-05-25}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

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Category:2001 establishments in Wyoming Category:Government agencies established in 2001 Category:United States Geological Survey Category:Volcano observatories Category:Seismic networks