Part of what gives Yellowstone National Park its breathtaking views and impressive geothermal features is also what leads to some rocking and rolling from time to time.

Yellowstone National Park is no stranger to seismic activity; hundreds and even thousands of earthquakes impact America's first National Park every year.

Although most of the earthquakes that impact Yellowstone National Park are too weak to feel, every once in a while, something a little more substantial catches everybody's attention.

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Recent Earthquake In Yellowstone

On the evening of Tuesday, January 28th, a 3.9 earthquake struck near the Norris Geyser Basin.

The quake was reported about 15 miles from Mammoth, Wyoming, and was registered at a depth of about 5 miles.

Although the recent earthquake was relatively light and almost unnoticeable, it reminds us of how seismically active Yellowstone National Park is.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again the day Yellowstone stops having earthquakes and geysers is the day we should probably start paying closer attention!

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Norris Geyser Basin

Yellowstone National Park's oldest and hottest geothermal area is the Norris Geyser Basin.

This region also boasts the world's tallest geyser, which can shoot water and steam up to 400 feet into the air.

A decent fault lies underneath this geological area, which causes numerous seismic events and geysers in the area.

Yellowstone National Park Seismic History

Yellowstone's largest earthquake was magnitude six and occurred in 1975 near the Norris Geyser Basin.

Thankfully, this earthquake resulted in minimal damage in the area.

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