Magma is molten mantle. Lava is magma when it errupts onto the surface: only a difference in semantics.
Actually, it referred to as the Idaho-Montana Thrust Fault "System". Sorry for leaving out the word "system."
The smell of sulphur is indicative of molten minerals below. Magma comes in a variety of mineral compositions.
Since rhyolite in the Northwest SRP has been found to be younger than older rhyolite in the Northeast SRP, this is indicative of multiple magma chambers arising from the mantle plume. The central Craters of the Moon erupted a mere 2,000 years ago: now the hot spot is hundreds of miles to the Northwest under Yellowstone, yet the last volcanic erruption in Yellowstone was 600,000 years ago. What does this indicate to you? To me it seems that the plume protrudes in different areas in different geological periods: not just stays stationary as the plate moves over it.
As the article you cites states: "Juan de Fuca, Rivera, and Cocos Plates as small remnants" of the much larger Farallon oceanic plate. They are peices that were broken off. For the sake of brevity - as you can clearly see how long the post had already become - I decided not to include this. You are absolutely correct. If I posted any over a longer post, people would probably be inclined not to read it. I'm not out to write a dissertation. I'm relating my personal experiences of what I've seen and observed in these areas and backed them up with what I've read.
Actually, it referred to as the Idaho-Montana Thrust Fault "System". Sorry for leaving out the word "system."
The smell of sulphur is indicative of molten minerals below. Magma comes in a variety of mineral compositions.
Since rhyolite in the Northwest SRP has been found to be younger than older rhyolite in the Northeast SRP, this is indicative of multiple magma chambers arising from the mantle plume. The central Craters of the Moon erupted a mere 2,000 years ago: now the hot spot is hundreds of miles to the Northwest under Yellowstone, yet the last volcanic erruption in Yellowstone was 600,000 years ago. What does this indicate to you? To me it seems that the plume protrudes in different areas in different geological periods: not just stays stationary as the plate moves over it.
As the article you cites states: "Juan de Fuca, Rivera, and Cocos Plates as small remnants" of the much larger Farallon oceanic plate. They are peices that were broken off. For the sake of brevity - as you can clearly see how long the post had already become - I decided not to include this. You are absolutely correct. If I posted any over a longer post, people would probably be inclined not to read it. I'm not out to write a dissertation. I'm relating my personal experiences of what I've seen and observed in these areas and backed them up with what I've read.