YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK – The Yellowstone Geology Program continues to play a crucial role in maintaining and studying the park's unique hydrothermal features.

This dedicated team, part of the National Park Service, focuses on protecting and cleaning Yellowstone's geology, according to a new report by USGS Volcanoes.

The team is responsible for cleaning hydrothermal areas, which see more than four million visitors annually. Winds and traffic lead to trash and hats blowing into these areas.

The team has collected over 13,000 pieces of trash, 4,000 rocks and sticks, and more than 300 hats in 2025 alone, USGS said.

Their tools range from grabber poles to custom-made devices, ensuring safe removal of debris. These efforts prevent damage to bacterial mats and geologic formations.

The G

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