The Coastal Plainer: Fall 2011

A Trip to Yellowstone

By Gregory R. Brannon, Soil Data Quality Specialist; Sandy Page, Soil Scientist; and Joey Koptis, District Conservationist

Every year, a few of us at work plan an annual “bucket list” trip to points of interest in the western United States. We plan to include Alaska, Canada, and the Caribbean in future forays. This past summer, Yellowstone National Park was our ultimate destination. On the way, we explored the Ozark Mountains and the Buffalo River and stayed at a B&B in Jasper, Arkansas. After dropping off some characterization samples at the Soil Survey Lab in Lincoln, Nebraska, we split up. Sandy went west to Colorado. I traversed the Sand Hills of Nebraska on the way to Badlands National Park. We then proceeded to Custer State Park in the Black Hills for a few days. A hike to Harney Peak and a visit to Wind Cave were among the points of interest. While in the vicinity, we also viewed the sculptures at Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monument, which is currently a work in progress. Stops at Devils Tower National Monument and the Bighorn National Forest were also conducted on the way to Yellowstone. We hiked Mount Washburn and investigated several thermal features, such as geysers, hot springs, mud pots, thermal pools, and fumaroles. We also provided soil assistance to an archeological group near Obsidian Point, observing some disturbed Mollisols. A ride north of the park along the Beartooth Highway was an interesting journey and is recommended for anyone visiting the park. We eventually returned to Alabama and the reality of having to pay for this adventure. Plans and preparations are underway for the 2012 “Return to Grand Canyon” expedition, which is scheduled for September.

Old Faithful, a geyser at Yellowstone. It erupts to a maximum height of 90 to 184 feet every 35 to 120 minutes.

Badlands National Park, South Dakota. The stratification is the result of the geologic processes that influenced the region. The oldest rocks exposed in the park are sediments that accumulated beneath the Western Interior Seaway, an inland sea that intermittently inundated much of central North America during the Cretaceous Period. The inland sea drained as the Rocky Mountains and Black Hills formed.

Grand Prismatic Spring, which is the largest hot spring in the United States and the third largest in the world. The vivid colors are the result of multi-colored Archaea, which are single-celled microorganisms that grow around the edges of the mineral-rich water. The Archaea produce colors ranging from green to red, depending on the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoids and the temperature of the water.

Part of the Needle’s Eye formation in Custer State Park, South Dakota. Overlying sediments eroded over time, exposing underlying granite.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial, which is in southwestern South Dakota. The heads are about 60 feet tall.

Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming. The tower is 867 feet from base to summit.

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