The observatory's jurisdiction also includes volcanic centers in the states of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.

[3][4] YVO was founded in 2001, originally as a three-way partnership with the USGS, the University of Utah and Yellowstone National Park.

[8] In 2008, it published its initial response plan that sets up a series of internal protocols for data gathering and deliberation during geological events at Yellowstone.

[9] Staff from the various observatory partner agencies form several monitoring and information teams that assess geological and geophysical data.

Producer Ailsa Orr credits YVO scientists as inspiration for the film's three primary characters.