There are at least five types of geothermal features found at Yellowstone : The '' ' Norris Geyser Basin ' '' is the hottest geyser basin in the park and is located near the northwest edge of Yellowstone Caldera near Norris Junction and on the intersection of three major faults . The Norris-Mammoth Corridor is a fault that runs from Norris north through Mammoth to the Gardiner , Montana , area . The Hebgen Lake fault runs from northwest of West Yellowstone , Montana , to Norris . This fault experienced an earthquake in 1959 that measured 7.4 on the Richter scale ( sources vary on exact magnitude between 7.1 and 7.8 ; see 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake ) . Norris Geyser Basin is so hot and dynamic because these two faults intersect with the ring fracture zone that resulted from the creation of the Yellowstone Caldera of 640,000 years ago
1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake
1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake
Geothermal areas of Yellowstone