Did you know that the roads of Yellowstone National Park are melting? It’s a pretty unbelievable fact, but it’s true. Don’t let it cause panic though, it’s not a new phenomenon and it’s not due to volcanic activity.
USGS Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Mike Poland explained why Firehole Lake Drive is so darn bumpy in the Yellowstone Monthly Update for March 2025. The road passes through the Lower Geyser Basin, one of the largest and hottest basins in the park. Much of the asphalt in the area winds up pretty close to boiling ground.
As the road is heated from below, it can start to flow in a similar manner to Silly Putty, with it being especially bad during the hot summer months. So as cars drive over the hot road the asphalt can wind up seriously warped. But don’t worry, this has been occurring for decades and has nothing to do with an increase in volcanic activity.
