Yellowstone National Park Historical Facts

Yellowstone National Park, the world's first national park, is a place of epic natural beauty and historical significance. Human activity in the area dates back 11,000 years, with Native American tribes having deep connections to the land. European explorers arrived in the late 1700s, and the discovery of gold in 1863 attracted settlers. The Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition of 1870, sponsored by the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, explored the park and named Old Faithful. Their findings led to the establishment of Yellowstone as a national park in 1872. The park spans two million acres, featuring diverse wildlife and geothermal wonders, including over 10,000 thermal features. Yellowstone sits atop a supervolcano, with a history of massive eruptions, though another eruption is unlikely in the near future. Today, Yellowstone remains a popular destination, attracting millions of visitors annually.

What makes Yellowstone National Park unique in terms of its historical status?

• It was the first National Park in the world.

• It is the largest National Park in the world.

• It has the most diverse wildlife in the world.

• It was the first National Park in the United States.

Which group of people is known to have a historical connection to Yellowstone dating back 3,000 years?

• The Sioux Native Americans

• The Apache Native Americans

• The Cherokee Native Americans

• The Salish Native Americans

What was the main reason for the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition to Yellowstone?

• To find gold

• To expand the railroad

• To establish a military base

• To explore and document the park

Who signed the act establishing Yellowstone as the first National Park?

• President Ulysses S. Grant

• President Abraham Lincoln

• President Theodore Roosevelt

• President Andrew Johnson

Approximately how many species of birds can be found in Yellowstone?

• 285

• 350

• 200

• 150

What is the primary source of geothermal activity in Yellowstone?

• A network of hot springs

• A giant reserve of magma

• A large underground river

• A series of underground caves

How many thermal features are present in Yellowstone?

• Over 10,000

• Over 5,000

• Over 1,000

• Over 15,000

How wide is the caldera of the super volcano in Yellowstone at its widest point?

• 55 miles

• 25 miles

• 35 miles

• 45 miles

How does the volume of material ejected from Yellowstone's eruption 2.1 million years ago compare to Mount St. Helens in 1980?

• 1,000 times more

• 3,000 times more

• 10,000 times more

• 6,000 times more

How many National Parks are there currently in the United States?

• 69

• 49

• 59

• 79