Yellowstone's new steam plume diminishes as winter arrives

Visitors to Yellowstone National Park experienced a rare sight last year when a strong steam plume was discovered. The plume was first seen on August 5, 2024, by a scientist who alerted the park's geology team, confirming it as new thermal activity. The impressive steam plume remained visible throughout the fall of 2024, particularly on cold mornings. However, as winter approached, it gradually disappeared. While the steam plume is currently inactive, the U.S. Geological Survey noted that the vent still has water, which limits steam release. It is uncertain if the plume will return by summer 2025. Yellowstone is known for its dynamic geological features. Mike Poland from the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory explained that new features regularly form in the park's hydrothermal areas due to the complex system above a large magma reservoir. Geologists have identified over 100 major hydrothermal areas in Yellowstone, with more than 10,000 features overall. This recent activity may be part of a long-term cycle, as similar hydrothermal activity was observed in 2003 in nearby locations.