GRC Workshop to Yellowstone

The trip will be led by Duncan Foley and Joe Moore. Duncan has led geologic and photographic tours of the park since the 1970’s and is familiar with its features, moods and history. Joe has more than 30 years experience in geothermal systems worldwide.

Highlights include:

• The 13 MW net capacity U.S. Geothermal Raft River geothermal power plant and the Raft River Enhanced Geothermal System site where stimulation activities are being conducted.
• The geological and geothermal features of the Yellowstone super volcanic system.
• 300 plus geysers – more than half of all the geysers in the world.
• More than 10,000 thermal features comprised of brilliantly colored hot springs, bubbling mudpots, and steaming fumaroles.
• Grand Teton National Park

Note: Sunrise is 5:02 am and Sunset is 9:14 pm for the week:

• Monday
  • Breakfast on own
  • Meet in Salt Lake City (elevation 4,327 feet), the capital of Utah at Hyatt Place Salt Lake City Airport - depart at 8am.
  • Drive From Salt Lake City to the 13 MW net capacity U.S. Geothermal Raft River geothermal power plant
  • Visit the Raft River Enhanced Geothermal System site where stimulation activities are being conducted.
  • Packed lunch will be provided.
  • Drive to West Yellowstone.
  • Stop to discuss the geology of the Snake River Plain.
  • View tuffs related to the Huckleberry Ridge eruption
  • Settle in at the Holiday Inn, West Yellowstone. (Elevation 6,667 feet)
  • Dinner on own in West Yellowstone.
• Tuesday
  • Breakfast on own
  • Drive to Mt. Washburn for overview of canyon and caldera. Cover geology of caldera, seismicity, and hydrothermal circulation systems.
  • Stop at Mary Bay/Beach Springs for discussion of hydrothermal explosion craters.
  • Stop at Steamboat Point for discussion of Yellowstone Lake (elevation 7,795 feet) and its raised and underwater shorelines, as a result of caldera unrest.
  • Final stop will be at Mud Volcano area for a walk through vapor dominated systems.
  • Dinner on own in West Yellowstone.
• Wednesday
  • Breakfast on own
  • Spend the day in Upper, Midway and Lower Geyser Basins. See several of the major geysers erupt. Field discussions of hydrothermal geochemistry and subterranean plumbing, geyser systematics, relations of thermal and cold groundwater systems, geyser chronology, silica deposition and diagenesis, etc.
  • Group dinner.
  • Evening walk in geyser basins.
• Thursday
  • Breakfast on own
  • Norris Geyser Basin - walk both Back Basin and Porcelain Basin boardwalks
  • Mammoth Hot Springs - walk boardwalks in different geochemical system.
  • Optional stops at Artists Paint Pots and/or Beryl Hot springs.
  • Dinner on own in West Yellowstone.
• Friday
  • Depart Holiday Inn
  • West Thumb Geyser Basin.
  • Drive through Grand Teton National Park for geology of Tetons and Teton Fault, glacial history, etc.
  • Lunch in Jackson Hole. (elevation 6,311 feet)
  • Arrive Salt Lake City mid-evening.