The workshop brought together scientists and informal educators to learn about EarthScope and similar efforts to study the dynamic landscape of the greater Yellowstone region. They developed interpretive programs focused on how society benefits from ongoing seismic, GPS, and other studies, and how such monitoring helps us appreciate the regions scenery as well as earthquake and volcanic hazards.
EarthScope Workshop for Interpretive Professionals in the Yellowstone-Snake River Plain-Teton Region
Teton Science School, Jackson, Wyoming,
September 9-12, 2010
The greater Yellowstone region is a prime target area for EarthScope to investigate plate-tectonic processes that result in earthquakes, volcanism, and the dramatic topography that forms along an active hotspot track and continental rift zone. This was the fifth in a series of workshops for park rangers and museum educators sponsored by the EarthScope National Office. Participants learned how to use EarthScope data and science results, and developed and presented interpretive programs on the evolving landscape and its connections to aspects of the natural and cultural history of the Yellowstone-Snake River Plain-Teton region.
Organizations represented included the National Park Service, U. S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Temple University, Idaho Environmental Education Association, South Australia Department of Environment and Heritage, Jackson Hole Community School, Exum Mountain Guides, Sacajawea Center, University of Nebraska State Museum, Wyoming Geological Survey, UNAVCO, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Geologists of Jackson Hole, and Lawrence Hall of Science.
The workshop featured presentations by scientists and interpretive specialists to convey the story of how hotspot activity other geological processes result in the region's breathtaking landscape and geological hazards. Instructors were from the University of Utah, Yellowstone National Park, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Grand Teton National Park, Carnegie Institution, Idaho National Laboratory, Utah State University, Oregon State University, IRIS, and UNAVCO. Excerpts of some of the presentations are available at www.earthscope.org/workshops/yellowstone/presentations.
Participants and scientists worked in teams to develop and present interpretive programs aimed at audiences engaged by interpreters in parks and museums. Five programs revolved around the following themes.
1. "History repeats itself at Hegben Lake."
2. "The effects of supervolcanoes are widespread as evidenced by ash in Nebraska."
3. "The seismic activity that created the beauty of the Tetons also has the potential for death and destruction."
4. "Scientific instruments tell us about the activity of our dynamic Earth."
5. "Modern technology provides a portal into the ancient Yellowstone that lies beneath our feet."