Precontact Archeology in Yellowstone
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volume 18 • issue 1 • 2010 Precontact Archeology in Yellowstone Interview with Archeologist Ann Johnson A New View of Yellowstone’s Geyser Basins Science in Brief he value of Yellowstone National Park as a I would also like scientific laboratory as well as a public pleasuring to remind you of an- ground is reflected in the fact that the park hosts other forum for sci- Tmore than 200 researchers from various agencies, universi- ence in Yellowstone, the ties, and organizations each year. They produce hundreds upcoming 10th Biennial of papers, manuscripts, books, and book chapters on their Scientific Conference on work annually—a volume of information that is difficult the Greater Yellowstone NPS/HFC Commi to absorb. Yellowstone Science journal was started in 1992 to Ecosystem, “Questioning help report Yellowstone-based scientific research findings to Greater Yellowstone’s Future: researchers, park managers and staff, and the interested pub- Climate, Land Use, and SS io N lic. In each issue we feature articles written by researchers Invasive Species.” Information Colle Art ed from many disciplines—from art history to microbiology— on the conference can be found and distribute it to more than 3,500 readers as well as make on the Greater Yellowstone C it available online. Science Learning Center web- tio N A , , Since the inception of Yellowstone Science there have site (www.greateryellow- rti S been few changes to the journal. Yet with advances in tech- stonescience.org/gyesci- t Gil Co nology our audiences now receive even more information conf2010). Registration H e which is ever more widely available. With more demands on will open in June. N our time as readers, a shorter article has its advantages. In In this issue, retired keeping with the times and our audiences’ needs, Yellowstone park archeologist Ann Johnson Science is pleased to introduce a new department in this imparts what she learned over a long ca- issue, “Shorts.” This department will feature brief summaries reer in Yellowstone. Park geologist Cheryl Jaworowski shares of recent and important-to-Yellowstone projects and publi- new images of Yellowstone’s geyser basins that can help us to cations. Through Shorts, we will attempt to report on more better understand and protect these large thermal areas. We of the projects and results that researchers provide us with. hope you enjoy the issue. We hope you enjoy this new department. a periodical devoted to natural and cultural resources volume 18 • issue 1 • May 2010 Tami Blackford editor Southeast arm of Yellowstone lake, 1977. Mary Ann Franke Associate editor NPS Emily Yost Graphic designer F e at u r e s Assistant editor Janine Waller Assistant editor 8 using thermal Infrared Imagery and Artcraft Printers, Inc. LiDar in Yellowstone Geyser Basins Bozeman, Montana A collaborative monitoring project offers a new view of Printer Yellowstone’s Geyser Basins. Cheryl Jaworowski, Henry P. Heasler, Christopher M.U. Neale, and Saravanan Sivarajan 20 the Groundwork for a Career in Yellowstone’s Past Yellowstone Science is published periodically. Archeologist Ann Johnson reflects on her career in Yellowstone. Support for Yellowstone Science is provided by the Yellowstone Association, a nonprofit An interview with Dr. Ann Johnson educational organization dedicated to serving the park and its visitors. For more information about the association, including membership, 24 an Overview of Precontact archeology or to donate to the production of Yellowstone Science, visit www.yellowstoneassociation.org in Yellowstone or write: Yellowstone Association, Po Box 117, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. the Ann Johnson summarizes the human past in Yellowstone. opinions expressed in Yellowstone Science are the authors’ and may not reflect either Ann Johnson National Park Service policy or the views of the Yellowstone Center for resources. Copyright © 2010, the Yellowstone Association for Natural Science, History & education. For D e Pa rt m e n t s back issues of Yellowstone Science, please see www.greateryellowstonescience.org/ys. 2 news & notes Submissions are welcome from all investigators conducting formal research in the Yellowstone Michael Curtis Receives Wilderness Stewardship Award • area. to submit proposals for articles, to Summary of 2010 Yellowstone Earthquake Swarm • Northern subscribe, or to send a letter to the editor, please write to the following address: Elk Herd Winter Count • Late Winter Bison Population editor, Yellowstone Science, Po Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. Estimate • Olliff Wins Management Award • 10th Biennial You may also email: [email protected]. Scientific Conference Announces Keynote Speakers Yellowstone Science is printed on recycled 5 Passages paper with a soy-based ink. Grassland ecologist and long-time park researcher Linda L. Wallace will be missed. 6 shorts Cover photo: Cougar: Ecology and Conservation • Trumpeter Swan Stone cairn site near Yellowstone lake. Abundance and Growth Rates • The Ecology of Large Mammals Photo by NPS/robin Park. in Central Yellowstone News & Notes J A mie F Summary of January– A February 2010 Yellowstone rrell, r o Earthquake Swarm B ert B. Smit B. ert Adapted from information available on the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory H AN , , website (http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/) d C H ri S ti An earthquake swarm that began on N e Pu January 15, 2010, with a few small S k AS quakes picked up in intensity on o F t January 17 (fig. 1), and by the end H e uN of February, earthquake activity at iver S Yellowstone had returned to near- it Y o F background levels, but seismic activ- u t ity increased slightly in early April. AH Sei S The swarm was located about 10 molo miles (16 km) northwest of the Old GY r e Faithful area on the northwestern S e A r edge of the Yellowstone Caldera. CH Swarms have occurred in this area Grou several times over the past 30 years, P but this swarm is the second largest recorded in the park. It lasted longer and included more earthquakes than Figure 1. map of Yellowstone National Park showing recent swarm earthquakes last year’s swarm beneath Yellowstone (red), previous swarms from 1995–2009 (green), volcanic vents (yellow stars), Lake (December ’08/January ’09). caldera boundaries (orange), mallard lake resurgent dome—to the southwest, Calculations by the University of Utah and Sour Creek resurgent dome, to the northeast (yellow lines). Histogram shows Seismology Research Group of the total the number of earthquakes per day from January 15 to April 6, 2010. seismic energy released by all the swarm earthquakes corresponds to one earth- quake with an approximate magnitude Many of the 19 M2.5-3.0 earth- four summers he had advanced from of 4.4. The largest recorded swarm at quakes were also felt in the region. youth leader to crew leader. He then Yellowstone occurred in the fall of 1985 worked on park trails for seven seasons, in a similar location, in the northwest Michael Curtis Receives four as the leader of the South District corner of the Yellowstone Caldera. Wilderness Stewardship trail crew. He spent one winter with As of April 6, 2010, a total of 2,357 Award the Lynx Project (2001–2002), then earthquakes had been automatically became the Shoshone Lake Ranger located for the entire swarm, includ- In recognition of his role in fur- from summers 2002 through 2005. ing 16 with a magnitude greater than thering the safe use of low-impact During those winters he did snow- 3.0; 141 with M2.0–2.9; 1,742 with methods for backcountry work, mobile patrol at South. Curtis also M1.0–1.9; 1,361 with M0.0-0.9 and Yellowstone ranger Michael K. Curtis worked in Capitol Reef and Big Bend 97 with M<0.0. The largest events received the National Park Service’s national parks and as a bio-aide for were a pair of earthquakes of magni- Intermountain Region Leader in Idaho Fish and Game. Since May tude 3.7 and 3.8 that occurred after Wilderness Stewardship Award. 2006, he has been the backcountry 11 pm MST on January 20, 2010. Both Ranger Curtis started work- supervisor for the Snake River District. events were felt throughout the park ing for the National Park Service in As a backcountry supervisor, Curtis and in surrounding communities Yellowstone as a Youth Conservation has shown a dedication to refining in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Corps (YCC) enrollee in 1990. After and implementing the minimum 2 Yellowstone Science 18(1) • 2010 Courte survive and elk numbers have decreased SY in areas where there are higher numbers o F m of wolves and grizzly bears, but have i CHA el Curti stabilized or even increased in areas where there are fewer predators and S only moderate population reduction from hunting. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has issued only 100 antler- less elk permits per season in recent years and recommended closing the Gardiner late hunt for the next two years to increase the size of the elk herd. The herd winters between the park’s Northeast Entrance and Dome Mountain and Dailey Lake in Paradise Valley, Montana. In this year’s survey, Yellowstone ranger michael Curtis was recognized by the National Park Service’s the number of elk observed in the intermountain region for his leadership in wilderness stewardship. park was about equal to those counted outside the park’s north boundary. The Northern Yellowstone requirement analysis process. When unfeasible, he adopted short-duration Cooperative Wildlife Working Group, the Yellowstone Park Foundation generator use and rechargeable electric which includes biologists from (YPF) offered to provide funds for tools as the appropriate solution. Yellowstone National Park, Montana backcountry equipment, he proposed In these ways, Curtis has served as Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Gallatin saws and axes, conducted the neces- a role model for the seasonal rang- National Forest, and the US Geological sary research, found the appropriate ers who have worked with him and Survey, will continue to monitor vendors, and taught backcountry continues to impart these values, trends of the northern Yellowstone elk rangers how to use these tools.