Thread: yellowstone

so is this the big one for yellowstone (and a large part of the US), or another false alarm ?

Originally Posted by marnixR

so is this the big one for yellowstone (and a large part of the US), or another false alarm ?

I wouldn't even classify it as an alarm, so it couldn't really be a false alarm. It is simply another observation of the continuing activity at Yellowstone. We do not yet know enough to state with certainty when the next eruption will occur, but we do know enough to state that it is not likely in the next century or two.
What I found fascinating was two technologies - GPS and computer modelling - were key to this study and neither was practically available four decades ago when I studied geology. I wonder what will be available to investigators in another four decades.

Sheesh

Just that the Yellowstone Caldera shows some movement due to (probably) fluidic movements underneath it does not mean the US will be smothered in volcanic ashes (who knows what it might be good for ). I mean the exact measurements started when? In the last 50 to 60 years? And you always have to consider the size of that thing. During eruption of Mt. St. Helens the side of the volcano bulged somewhat like dozends of meters and we are talking about a relatively small event compared with the really large calderas (not only the one in Yellowstone). Wasn't the BBC running some BS about the "Next Major Outbreak of the Yellowstone Caldera!!" and all it's nasty consequences just a couple of months ago? Exstinction level events are rrrrrrrreeally sexy these days (and you can sell expensive airtime for comercials).
O.K., there have been major eruptions in recent history (geological history that is) that seem to follow a certain pattern but I really fail to see the imminent danger, at least with the data available. Just the movement of a magma dome from 30 to 100 km depth takes anything between dozens to a couple of thousand years. Just relax, watch Old Faithfull and take some nicce pictures. You'll probably see nothing else from this caldera in the near future.


And what if? There's nothing you could do anyway.

Originally Posted by Twaaannnggg

Wasn't the BBC running some BS about the "Next Major Outbreak of the Yellowstone Caldera!!"

There was a BBC series not so long ago about potential natural disasters, the series did include one episode about what would happen during and after in the US and around the world if Yellowstone did live up to it's extreme potential. Very cheerful stuff.

I believe that episode was called "super volcano"

or that might have been a movie...

anyways, it was pretty cool to watch. And I liked how they told it as if it had happened like 15 years ago and people were looking back on it, telling the story.

One of my favorite places as a child was Thermopolis WY. Finding out it was sitting on top of magma kinda ruined it. But I had an escape plan. Every time we went on vacation there I made sure we packed my bike. I may not have been a bright child, but I was one hell of a pedaller!