VI
EN
Geological studies show that Yellowstone has experienced three major eruptions in the past, 700,000 years ago, 1.3 million years ago, and 2.1 million years ago, respectively. Given this activity cycle, scientists believe that the movement of tectonic plates and the activity of the hot spot beneath Yellowstone may be the cause of these massive explosions. Worryingly, Yellowstone may be approaching a new eruption cycle, posing a serious threat to life on Earth.
The Yellowstone supervolcano is located within Yellowstone National Park, a vast 8,900 square kilometer area spanning the US states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.
Yellowstone is one of the largest volcanoes in the world.
Yellowstone is currently the largest active mountain in the Americas and is also home to hundreds of species of wildlife such as wolves, bears, moose, and 150 species of birds. Statistics show that up to 3,000 earthquakes occur annually in Yellowstone – a place with enormous magma chambers (molten rock) at depths ranging from 4 km to 47 km below the surface.
The next eruption is expected to have catastrophic consequences worldwide, according to the What If short documentary, "What If the Yellowstone Volcano Erupts Tomorrow?". The narrator notes: "One of the world's largest volcanoes in the US is poised to erupt. And if Yellowstone erupts, the results will be devastating."
Recently, scientists warned that it is "preparing to explode" sometime in the "near future".
It has erupted three times in the last three million years, leading some to wonder whether we should be worried about another eruption in the near future. In geological and volcanic terms, "near future" could mean hundreds of thousands of years from now. Furthermore, the documentary also examines the expected amount of lava. In fact, before lava forms, it's known as magma (molten rock). Much of Yellowstone's magma won't turn into lava because the intensity of an eruption would send magma plumes into the sky. It would then become airborne ash particles or small, jagged, charred pieces of rock.
Nevertheless, this would have a significant impact on the entire United States and Canada. It is estimated that tens of millions of people within a 1,000 km radius would die. When inhaled, the ash would form a cement-like mixture in the lungs, causing suffocation. Meanwhile, outside, buildings would collapse – just 30 cm of ash would be enough to cause roofs to fall off.
The most recent eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano was approximately 640,000 years ago.
Experts suggest that even if you are outside a 1,000 km radius, you will still be in trouble. Even on the east coast of the United States, about 1 cm of ash falling would be dangerous to human lungs. A significant amount of ash will be blown to Europe, while the rest of the world will experience extreme weather changes. Global temperatures will drop by about 10 degrees Celsius and this could last for up to a decade.
Estimates suggest such a project would cost around $3.46 billion, but would also generate electricity at a competitive price and therefore come with an attractive return that could persuade politicians to invest.
