Yellowstone Supervolcano Facts
Yellowstone Supervolcano Facts
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| Interesting Yellowstone Supervolcano Facts: |
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| The last three supereruptions of the United States occurred 640,000 years ago, 1.3 million years ago, and 2.1 million years ago. |
| The eruption that occurred 2.1 million years ago is called the Huckleberry Ridge eruption. This eruption created the Huckleberry Ridge Tuff, and the Island Park Caldera. |
| The eruption that occurred 1.3 million years ago is called the Mesa Falls eruption. This eruption created the Mesa Falls Tuff and Henry's Fork Caldera. |
| The eruption that occurred 640,000 years ago is called the Lava Creek eruption. This eruption created the Lava Creek Tuff and the Yellowstone Caldera. |
| It is estimated that the Lava Creek eruption that created the Yellowstone Caldera ejected 240 cubic miles of volcanic ash, dust, and rock into the surrounding sky. |
| The Yellowstone Supervolcano experiences approximately 1000 to 2000 earthquakes a year but most are less than a 3 magnitude. |
| In 1985 there were 3000 earthquakes at the Yellowstone Supervolcano in several months. This is called a swarm. |
| If the Yellowstone Supervolcano were to erupt it is estimated that it would be more than 1000 times as powerful as the eruption of Mount St Helens in 1980. |
| Despite the estimated damage that would be caused if the Yellowstone Supervolcano were to erupt, experts believe that there is only a 1 in 700,000 chance each year that it will happen. This means it is extremely unlikely that it will happen. |
| If the Yellowstone Supervolcano were to erupt the gas haze over the United States would cause a drop in temperatures. This would not only result in lost crops, but it would also result in food shortages. |
| Cities within 300 miles of the Yellowstone Supervolcano would be covered in as much as three feet of ash if it erupted. Cities as far as New York City and those in Southern California would likely only see a fraction of an inch of ash. |
| An eruption at Yellowstone Caldera would result in air traffic being shut down, and communication would be affected as well. |
| The hydrothermal (heated water) features of Yellowstone National Park are evidence that the volcano beneath the park is still active. |
| There are scientists at the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory that monitor the area for signs of a possible eruption. Most scientists believe that if a major eruption were to occur there would be weeks, if not longer, of warning signs to alert them, which would give ample time for evacuation. |
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