Facts about Yellowstone

1. 08

   Yellowstone National Park spans 3,472 square miles across Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, making it larger than the states of Delaware and Rhode Island combined.

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2. 07

   Over 2 million people visit Yellowstone annually, making it the second-most visited national park in the United States after Great Smoky Mountains.

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3. 06

   Approximately 10,000 geothermal features exist in Yellowstone, accounting for roughly half of all geysers found on Earth.

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4. 05

   Bison herds in Yellowstone number approximately 4,500 to 5,000 animals, representing the largest publicly managed bison population in North America.

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5. 04

   In 1995, gray wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone after a 70-year absence, fundamentally transforming the ecosystem by reducing elk populations and restoring vegetation along riverbanks.

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6. 03

   Yellowstone's geothermal features sit atop a supervolcano that last erupted catastrophically 640,000 years ago, covering 240 cubic miles with ash and debris.

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7. 02

   Old Faithful geyser erupts approximately every 90 minutes, shooting hot water up to 180 feet into the air with temperatures reaching 204 degrees Fahrenheit.

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8. 01

   The Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone measures 372 feet across and reaches depths of 160 feet, making it the largest hot spring in the United States.

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