Illuminating Research

A research team works by headlamps to extract sediments from tubes used to core the bottom of Yellowstone Lake. WHOI scientist Rob Sohn, who has explored hydrothermal vents on the deep seafloor, is leading the HD-YLAKE project. The multiyear expedition brings deep-sea technology to investigate the lake bottom, including coring bottom sediments that contain evidence of past geologic activity and climate in the region. Yellowstone National Park attracts millions of tourists each year to see the park’s iconic geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles. But fewer know about the hotbed of hydrothermal activity hidden at the bottom of Yellowstone Lake. (Photo by Chris Linder, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)