Recently, I’ve learned of all the geology present in Yellowstone National Park. At first I thought it was just the famous geysers that its well known for. But after doing some reading I learned that there exists a massive supervolcano beneath the park.
Beneath the park, there is a partially molten plume rising from the Earth’s mantle, fueling the park’s famous geysers and hot springs, and causing the crust above to bulge and recede in response to its forces. The plume’s high conductivity suggests it contains high levels of silicate rocks and perhaps briny water.
Researchers have been running tests and collecting data to determine the size of this volcano. Using a new technique, they have created an image of the plume beneath Yellowstone showing the cyclone shape stretching at a 40-degree angle to the west at a depth of 200 miles for 400 miles east to west! That is enormous!
The last time this volcano erupted was 640,000 years ago. That’s when it formed the Yellowstone Caldera, a 30 by 50 mile crater. When will this volcano erupt again? Nobody knows for sure, but its best to not be in the area when it happens.
mttbo 