Discovery Channel to Premiere X-RAY YELLOWSTONE, 12/23

Related: X-RAY YELLOWSTONE, Discovery

Created in 1872, Yellowstone is the first national park in America and home to hundreds of species. It is an American cultural icon attracting millions of visitors each year. But there is more to this park than meets the eye.

X-RAY YELLOWSTONE, airing Sunday, Dec. 23 at 9 PM E/P on Discovery Channel's CURIOSITY series, will take viewers inside the hidden wonders of Yellowstone using new imaging technology and the latest scientific research to shed insight on its incredible wilderness and the invisible forces at work.

Why is the wolf and elk population dwindling? What triggers the park's deadly avalanches? What makes peregrine falcons one of world's most letHal Hunters? And how does the deadly prairie rattlesnake survive in Yellowstone's extremes? These mysteries and others will be explored.

The episode will also peel back the layers and go beneath the surface of the park's most popular attractions. A first stop for many visitors is to one of the hundreds of geothermal geysers that spew boiling hot water and steam into the sky like clockwork. It's an incredible sight but few stop to consider what lurks beneath their feet - a massive super volcano with the potential to erupt at any time.

"For most people who come to Yellowstone, it's hard to comprehend the size of the caldera left over from the last eruption. Most people are standing in it when visiting," said Greg Vaughn, one of the CURIOSITY scientists.

In this latest episode of CURIOSITY, viewers will see a side of Yellowstone like never revealed before - witnessing first-hand the epic forces that shape this active and beautiful land.

"X-Ray Yellowstone" is produced by Mentorn Media for Discovery Channel. CURIOSITY is overseen by Vice President, Development and Production Howard Swartz and Senior Vice President, Development and Production Simon Andreae.

About Discovery Channel

Discovery Channel is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which is distributed to 100.8 million U.S. homes, can be seen in 210 countries and territories, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including, science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world. For more information, please visit www.discovery.com.

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world's #1 nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.8 billion cumulative subscribers in 209 countries and territories. Discovery is dedicated to satisfying curiosity through 149 worldwide television networks, led by Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Science and Investigation Discovery, as well as U.S. joint venture networks OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, The Hub and 3net, the first 24-hour 3D network. Discovery also is a leading provider of educational products and services to schools and owns and operates a diversified portfolio of digital media services, including Revision3.