00:00 (wind blowing)
00:02 For all the wildlife that exists here,
00:05 it is the life beneath the surface of Yellowstone
00:07 that attracts the most attention
00:09 from scientists and tourists.
00:11 One of the most unique ecosystems in the world,
00:16 Yellowstone is home to more than two thirds
00:18 of this planet's geysers,
00:20 the largest concentration in the world.
00:22 From above, the park looks like steam
00:26 rising after hundreds of small fires.
00:29 But from the ground, one sees geysers,
00:31 hot springs, steam vents, and mud pots
00:35 percolating throughout the landscape.
00:37 Yellowstone is an active volcano
00:43 with an explosive prehistoric past.
00:45 The last major eruption here was 640,000 years ago,
00:51 blasting 240 cubic miles of magma into the atmosphere.
00:58 Then the ground collapsed,
01:00 creating an enormous crater-like impression
01:02 called a caldera.
01:03 Since then, there have been many smaller eruptions,
01:08 and on a yearly basis, thousands of earthquakes occur here.
01:11 Scientists anticipate that a volcanic eruption
01:17 will take place here sometime in the future.
01:19 (upbeat music)
01:24 (upbeat music)
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