YELLOW STONE NATIONAL PARK

Introduction

            This park is located in Wyoming in the United States of America. It was established on March 1, 1872 by the U.S Congress. Known for its famous geothermal features, the park is renowned as the first park to be established in the whole world. Apart from the wildlife in the park, it is famous for a geyser named the old faithful, which is a main attraction in the park. The park is part of the South Central Rockies forests ecoregion and boasts of a subalpine ecoforest among other ecosystems. The park has a mountain ranger, some of which are considered to be still volcanic. The park also consists of lake, canyons and rivers whose formation is mainly attributed to volcanic activity. Thus, the existences of the many geothermal features that are situated within the park are explained with this activity.

            The park has also been considered a good archeological paradise for the existence of numerous archeological sites as well as much historical significance. It is assumed that there are more than a thousand archeological sites within this park.

            The region has remained largely untouched because of the fact that most early explorers, Lewis and Clark included, did not explore this region. In fact, for many years, the people that inhabited this particular region were the Native Americans. It was during the 1960’s that organized explorers were able to penetrate this region; prior to this the first non-natives that explored the region were mountain men[1].

            After its establishment by congress, the U.S Army was commissioned with the task of overseeing the administration of the park. This mandate was later transferred to the national park service in 1917.

Geography

            The state of Wyoming holds the large land area of yellow Stone Park with 96% of the park being within this state. Montana holds the remaining percentage. Yellowstone is 63 miles (101 km) north to south, and 54 miles (87 km) west to east by air. The park is 2,219,789 acres (898,317 ha; 3,468.420 sq mi). Five percent of that land that comprises the lake is made up of rivers and lakes. Yellowstone Lake is the largest water body in the lake at 87,040 acres (35,220 ha; 136.00 sq mi). The lake is also the highest high altitude lake in North America standing at an altitude of 7,733 feet (2,357 m) above sea level[2].

            The park also has the continental divide passing through it. This divide is one that divides the water sources that drain into both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is approximated that about a third of the park lies on the west of the divide while the other lies on the north. This is because the origins of both the Yellowstone Rivers as well as the snake rivers flow close to each other thus while one drains into one ocean, the other drains into the other ocean, thus the divide.

            Situated of 8,000 feet (2,400 m) above sea level, the park sits on the Yellowstone plateau. The plateau is encircled by mountain rangers that have mountains that range in height from 9,000 to 11,000 feet (2,700 to 3,400 m). These mountains are the middle rocky type. The lowest is along Reese Creek (5,282 feet or 1,610 metres) and the highest point in the park is atop Eagle Peak (11,358 feet or 3,462 metres)[3]. A common feature in this park is trees that were buried long ago in soil and ash and which were turned into mineral. These are known as petrified trees and the park has the largest forest of this kind in the world.

Geology

            The park contains a great U-shaped arc all the way through the mountains that extends from Boise, Idaho and extends some 400 miles (640 km) to the west. This feature traces the path of the North American Plate over the last 17 million years as it was transported by plate tectonics across a stationary mantle hotspot. The landscape of current Yellowstone National Park is a recent manifestation of such a hotspot below the Earth’s crust[4].

            The largest volcanic system in North America exists within the park. It is known as the Yellowstone caldera and has also been nicknamed the supervolcano. It is estimated that the magma chamber that lies under the volcano is about 37 miles (60 km) long, 18 miles (29 km) wide, and 3 to 7 miles (5 to 12 km) deep. Over the years, there have been eruptions that have erupted to form the features that are now part of the park.

            Located in Upper Geyser Basin, old faithful is the most famous geyser in the park. The park also has other active geysers including the largest active geysers in the world; Steamboat Geyser. In 2011, it was found that at least 1283 geysers had erupted in the park[5].

The park also experiences thousands of mini earthquakes every year. These are really detected by people. However, there have been earthquakes that have also been catastrophic in the region. In 1959, there was one such quake that led to landslides that caused the death of people as well as destruction of property that was within that region. It has been established that the largest earthquake hit the region since 1980 took place on 30 March 2014[6]. No great damage was reported.

Ecology and biology

            It is estimated that the Yellowstone ecosystem comprises of 20 million acre/31,250 square-mile (8,093,712 ha/80,937 km2) of the park. This includes the national park, forests as well as a wilderness[7]. It is considered the world's largest intact ecosystem in the northern temperate zone. It has also been established that almost all of the first fauna that were found in the forest during the first exploration can still be found in the park today.

            It is estimated that there are Over 1,700 kinds of trees and other vascular plants that are native to the park. Another 170 species are considered to be exotic species but are non-native. Of the eight documented conifer tree species, Lodgepole Pine forests cover 80% of the total forested areas in the park[8]. There are also many species of flowing plants that can be found within the park. Because of the hot water that is predominantly found in the area. Different types of bacteria have created a unique ecosystem in this area.

            The creatures native to this park include the gray wolf, the threatened lynx, grizzly bears, the bison (often referred to as buffalo), black bear, bighorn sheep, elk mule, deer, white-tailed deer, mountain goat, pronghorn, moose, and mountain lion. These are just some of the 66 species of mammals that exist within the different ecosystems that can be found in this park[9]. Other types of animals include the birds, reptiles and insects which can also be found within this park. The flora and fauna that are found within this park are able to sustain each other in continuation of the different food chains and circles of life of the individual species.

History

            Yellow stone national park takes its name after Yellowstone River, where the park is situated. The river got its name from French rappers who had baptized it ‘Roche Jaune’, a rough translation of the Hidatsa, native tribe, name "Mi tsi a-da-zi" which means rock yellow river. This was later changed to yellow stone by American trappers. There is also common belief that the river was named thus because of the yellow stones seen canyon in which the river passes through[10].

            It is estimated that human activity began in this region with the fishing and hunting for food by the aborigines’ over 11000 year ago. These people that lived there used the obsidian rock found in the area to make weapons as well as cutting tools. The first explore to discover the region was John Coulter who discovered the geothermal beauty of the area between 1807-08. He later reported to have seen great wonders such as boiling mud, petrified trees and steaming springs. This report was later confirmed by Jim Bridger. However, the report by Bridger was not believed by many for most people believed that most of his stories were exaggerated[11].

            There were other people who were later on more interested in exploring this territory. Among them was Captain William F. Raynolds who was an army surveyor. However, this expedition was hampered by heavy snow fall which made it impossible to penetrate the region.

In 1969, the Cook–Folsom–Peterson expedition was the first successful group to be able to make a detailed exploration of the yellow park area. They did this successfully by following the Yellowstone River. This particular party kept a journal which was later successfully used in 1870 by the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition[12].

Myths associated with the park

            The unique ecosystem as well as geographical and geological features that surround the park ensures that the park is enshrouded in mystery. This coupled with the fact that the original settles in the area were the Native Americans means that there are a number of myths created that try to explain some of these phenomena. One of the most famous myths in this case is the Yellowstone valley and the great valley myth.

            In this myth, the Indian people who lived in the valley, Yellowstone, lived in harmony with the animals which they had to treat as their bothers. They did this as instructed by the Great Spirit. However, the outsiders came in and treated the land and the animals without any respect and even cut down trees and fished all the fish in the lake. The Great Spirit got sad and sent smoke as a warning to put out the fires but the people refused. He therefore sent rains to put out the fires and destroy the people who wanted to destroy nature. The rain fell for many days and the water started rising, it rose until the people ran for the hills but it continued falling. It fell until a white buffalos’ skin was spread by spotted bear over the valley. This was stretched and tied on the various mountains that surrounded the valley. The buffalo skin stopped the rain from falling on the valley. This was so until the rain stopped[13].                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Conclusion

            Whether it is by science, history or myth, the explanation of Yellowstone Park is one that is interesting and fascinating to read about or personally experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Schullery, Paul. "The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem". Our Living Resources. U.S. Geological Survey. Archived from http://www.usgs.gov/ on September 25, 2006. Retrieved 27th October 2014 .

Haines, Aubrey L. (1975). "The Exploring Era (1851–63)". Yellowstone National Park: Its Exploration and Establishment. U.S. Department of the Interior. Archived from http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/haines1/iee1c.html on October 15, 2006. Retrieved 27th October 2014.

Chittenden, Hiram Martin (1895). The Yellowstone National Park: historical and descriptive. The R. Clarke Company. pp. 111–122.

"Defenders of Wildlife". A Yellowstone Chronology. Archived from http://www.defenders.org/wildlife/wolf/ynpchro.html on June 7, 2007. Retrieved 27th October 2014.

“Yellowstone Valley and the Great Flood” Cheyenne Native American Lore archived from http://www.ilhawaii.net/~stony/lore29.html retrieved October 27, 2014.

"Yellowstone, the First National Park" archived from http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/yehtml/yeabout.html , retrieved 27th October 2014.

"Yellowstone Fact Sheet". National Park Service. August 10, 2006. Archived from http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/factsheet.htm, Retrieved 27th October 2014.

Macdonald, James S., Jr. (December 27, 2006). "History of Yellowstone as a Place Name". Retrieved 27th October 2014 .

 

[1] Chittenden, Hiram Martin (1895). The Yellowstone National Park: historical and descriptive.

[2] "Yellowstone, the First National Park" archived from http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/yehtml/yeabout.html

[3] "Yellowstone, the First National Park" archived from http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/yehtml/yeabout.html

 

[4] "Yellowstone Fact Sheet". National Park Service. August 10, 2006. Archived from http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/factsheet.htm

[5] Schullery, Paul. "The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem". Our Living Resources. U.S. Geological Survey. Archived from http://www.usgs.gov/

[6] "Yellowstone Fact Sheet". National Park Service. August 10, 2006. Archived from http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/factsheet.htm

[7] "Yellowstone Fact Sheet". National Park Service. August 10, 2006. Archived from http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/factsheet.htm

[8] "Yellowstone Fact Sheet". National Park Service. August 10, 2006. Archived from http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/factsheet.htm

[9] "Yellowstone Fact Sheet". National Park Service. August 10, 2006. Archived from http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/factsheet.htm

[10] Macdonald, James S., Jr. (December 27, 2006). "History of Yellowstone as a Place Name"

[11] Haines, Aubrey L. (1975). "The Exploring Era (1851–63)". Yellowstone National Park: Its Exploration and Establishment. U.S. Department of the Interior. Archived from http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/haines1/iee1c.html

[12] Haines, Aubrey L. (1975). "The Exploring Era (1851–63)". Yellowstone National Park: Its Exploration and Establishment. U.S. Department of the Interior. Archived from http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/haines1/iee1c.html

[13] “Yellowstone Valley and the Great Flood” Cheyenne Native American Lore archived from http://www.ilhawaii.net/~stony/lore29.html