In the Yellowstone National Park in the United States of America you will find what many do not imagine, the Yellowstone volcano. That although it does not have an eruption, it is still alive and represents a devastating danger. Discover here everything about this natural phenomenon that continues to be a threat.
Yellowstone volcano
The Yellowstone Supervolcano, Yellowstone Volcano or yellowstone caldera, are the names that identify the "Volcanic Caldera". Which is located in the “Yellowstone National Park”, of the sovereign country of the United States of America. Of which it is that this park has its location in one of the fifty states that together with Washington DC, make up the nation, specifically Wyoming. Where it also expands its area to two other states of Idaho and Montana.
A "Caldera" constitutes a depression, which has remarkable dimensions and steep walls. Of which its creation is due to volcanic eruptions of powerful magnitude or very intense. In this sense, this caldera experiences its creation along the Lava Creek eruption that occurred 640.000 years ago, so its corresponding geological era is this date.
The record shows that this mighty Yellowstone Volcano, which is the largest volcano in America, has not ceased to be active. It should be noted that the fauna that the place has, has great abundance and variety. Thanks to the fact that for 150 years it was prohibited to carry out any hunting of animals. The Flora, that surrounds it is characterized by being remarkably varied, although the most relevant is the high montane or cold land forest.
The Yellowstone Caldera has dimensions of approximately 55 by 72 kilometers and is located on the northwest side of the State of Wyoming. With an altitude of 3.142 meters above sea level.
On the other hand, this park is cataloged as the first National Park of this great country, apart from being the oldest in the world. Of which its creation dates from March 01, 1872 through a law of the one who served as President, Ulysses S. Grant.
Yellowstone Volcano Timeline
El Yellowstone volcano It occurs after the succession of the following events, classified as super-eruptions, which are:
2,1 million years ago, the Huckleberry Ridge eruption triggered the creation of the Huckleberry Ridge Tuff and the Island Park Caldera. Partially located in Yellowstone National Park, expanding to what is known as Island Park in western Idaho. It is set as the largest recorded eruption of the Yellowstone hotspot. With an estimated 2.500 cubic kilometers of ejected volcanic material.
1,3 million years ago, the eruption of Mesa Falls is generated, with which the creation of the Mesa Falls Tuff and the Henry's Fork Caldera were executed. Located in Idaho, west of what is now Yellowstone National Park. It is established as the second recorded eruption in magnitude, product of the Yellowstone hot spot. With an estimated 280 cubic kilometers of ejected volcanic material.
640.000 years ago, the Lava Creek eruption was generated, with which the creation of the Lava Creek Tuff and the Yellowstone Caldera or also called Yellowstone Volcano was executed. Located a part of it in Wyoming, specifically in Yellowstone National Park and the rest in Idaho and Montana. With an estimated 1.000 cubic kilometers of ejected volcanic material.
Hotspot
Until today discrepancies arise and arise about what is the hot spot of the Yellowstone volcano and where does it originate from. On the one hand, there is the opinion of expert geologists who affirm that this hot spot is generated by interaction. That takes place between what is the circumstances of the space of the lithosphere.
Which is the rocky cover that makes up the solid outer crust of the Earth. Along with the spread of heat from the upper mantle. On the other hand, there are other specialists who affirm that this hot spot is generated in the deep mantle or what is also called the mantle plume.
Bearing then, that this controversy or discussion arises after the manifestation and presentation of this data in what is the geological seat.
volcano activity
As far as volcanic activity is concerned, the caldera is located exactly above a hot spot. Given that this hot spot is below the plateau where is yellowstone. Even when it appears to move through the terrain in an east-northeast direction, it is not, it is fixed and is characterized by being too accentuated in the terrain itself.
Records show that over the past 18 million years, this controversial hot spot caused. A sequence of sudden and violent emissions of solid, liquid or even gaseous matter, together with basaltic overflows.
Where the data has provided that at least twelve of these became of notable intensity, then being taken as super-eruptions. With which the emptying speed resulted in what until now has been called a boiler.
It is also had that according to the amount of eruption they are capable of causing such destruction, where the minimum can represent the loss of broad mountain ranges. However, in the range that covers the past of 17 million years, the Yellowstone hot spot has been able to create a statistic that exceeds 142 eruptions.
On the other hand, the Yellowstone supervolcano records the following significant data:
- 174.000 years ago, a minor eruption originates West Thumb Lake.
- 150.000 years ago, an eruption excavates West Thumb Lake.
- 70.000 years ago, it is the most recent lava flow.
- 13.800 years ago, gas emissions, which cause a crater 5 kilometers in diameter, on the shore of Yellowstone Lake.
- Currently, there are countless geothermal vents. Where in turn the magma contains gases that are dissolved as a result of its pressure.
Yellowstone Volcanic Hazard
The data from the constant studies and follow-up provide evidence that in the period between 2004 and 2008, an upward movement of 7,6 centimeters per year was experienced, where it is alarming when compared to the records handled since 1923. Because they represent that the data has tripled.
Apart from that, both the specialists of the National Park Service, the Geological Survey of the United States of America. The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory and the University of Utah. They have given the answer of their studies, where they agree that no records are reported that any devastating eruption could occur like those already known.
Knowing that these studies are data that, after all, are not as exact as to be totally accurate. In other words, events can also arise that are unpredictable at any time because that is how natural phenomena.
On the other hand, taking into account an investigation carried out by the National Geographic Society, the result is that if an event occurs that causes an eruption in Yellowstone. This would happen in one of the three existing parallel faults that have a north-northwest direction in the middle of Yellowstone National Park.
In which two had their appearance and incidence with considerable lava flows between what represents 174.000 years and 70.000 years ago. Where the last or third is responsible for the greatest recurrence of telluric movements in recent years.
Risk of Hydrothermal Explosion
The risk is generated completely or in a notable percentage by the hydrothermal movement, considering that this has nothing to do with the volcanic activity experienced. The seats have provided data that hydrothermal explosions have been responsible for the generation or occurrence of an amount that exceeds 20 craters.
On the other hand, isolated investigations have provided surprising data showing that telluric movements that are recorded in completely distant distances have had repercussions on the Yellowstone volcano.
In this sense, Jake Lowenstern, who works as Head of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. He raised, suggested or recommended that monitoring in the area should be optimized and extended. Because the United States Geological Survey lists the Yellowstone Volcano as a high risk that should not be underestimated.
Seismic activity
It should be noted that the product of the origin, conditions and volcanic characteristics, as well as tectonics, typical of the area or zone. The Yellowstone Volcano captures, receives or records an average of 1.000 to 3.000 telluric movements each year, which meet the minimum range to be measurable.
Having isolated and often recurring situations, a large number of telluric events can arise during short periods of time. In which the experts clarify that these are generated as a result of the internal transport of volcanic fluids. Which take place, through the countless cracks found in the shallow rocks above the magma.
Which means that the contained energy is simply released in the form of telluric movements. Where some examples of them are the following:
- During the year 1985, in a short period of time (a few months), more than 3.000 seismic movements were recorded.
- In a period of seven days, between the month of December of the year 2008 and the month of January of the following year, the data of more than 500 seismic movements were obtained.
- Between January 17 and February 01, 2010, 1.620 telluric movements were recorded. Where according to the data, it began on January 17, after the earthquake in Haiti and ended before the earthquake in Chile, on February 01.
- Currently, in May 2020, the record of 288 seismic movements was taken.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw4STJeeU2k
Seismic Waves from the Yellowstone Volcano
In relation to the seismic waves of the Yellowstone volcano, the researchers made use of a network of seismometers. They settled around the fringes of Yellowstone National Park, with the goal of recording magma chamber mapping. Because it has the virtue that the waves have an extremely slow movement when they penetrate a density at high temperature and that it is also partially molten.
In this sense, this opportunity is taken advantage of and the measurement of what is below is executed. From which the impressive data was obtained, which are:
- The magma cavern is huge or gigantic.
- Its depth varies between two and fifteen kilometers.
- Its dimensions are close to ninety kilometers long and thirty kilometers wide.
- Its amplitude towards the northeast of Yellowstone National Park is much greater, compared to the data available from other studies.
- It integrates a mixture of both solid and molten rock.
It should be noted that the amazing thing about this research and results is that scientifically to date no study (mapping) had been carried out. That would provide such results, which are considered colossal. Of which, now the professionals in the area have the difficult and delicate task of estimating or weighing what they consider the "unstable giant" really represents for humanity.
What Does the Internal Combustion of the Volcano Represent??
The internal combustion of the Yellowstone Volcano represents and provides the following results, which are:
- The main cause or origin of the great heat produced in the Yellowstone hot spot, reaches up to a range of 645 to almost 2.900 kilometers below the surface of the Earth.
- It is probable that the cause or origin of the great heat proceeds or emanates from its liquid core.
- If so, there is no doubt that it is the one that is credited with sustaining the reservoir that has just been found and that it is arranged in the corresponding upper part of it.
- Above the reservoir, is the magma chamber, taking from there the magma it needs.
- This is what sustains or supplies all the geysers, puddles and other sources of attraction that Yellowstone National Park has. Which is located between five and more than fourteen kilometers below the surface of the Earth.
- To get a rough idea, only the magma chamber integrates a volume that is equivalent, similar or similar to 2,5 times the Grand Canyon. That they really are colossal data and that they are capable of contaminating and totally destroying environmental elements that disposes a place or nation..
What is the Opinion of Scientists?
Scientists or researchers Yellowstone volcano the following results are concluded:
- It is latent since 2004 that events that result in an eruption of the same arise.
- Its main conclusion comes from the fact that an amount that has exceeded 3.000 telluric movements is recorded annually.
- If the presumed eruption occurs, the northwest of the United States of America will be totally finished.
- An eruption of such magnitude would destroy absolutely everything within a radius of 160 kilometers.
- For the rest of the country, destruction and desolation would also come, because the cloud of smoke along with the ashes would take care of it.
- The studies provide the disastrous figure that the country would have a destruction that reaches and even exceeds two thirds, without being able to inhabit it again.
What surrounds Yellowstone?
The unstable giant Yellowstone Volcano, apart from having the virtue of being in a protected park, also has other attractions. And it is that due to its presence, a remarkable number of geysers are found in Yellowstone National Park. As well as the most surprising and extraordinary hot springs around the globe.
Apart from these main attractions that make the arrival of visitors and tourists an incessant movement, there are also others such as:
- mud pits
- travertine terraces
- fumaroles, among others.
Bearing in mind that all this is possible due to the hydrothermal properties and particularities that are only feasible due to the constant volcanic activity. What does the Yellowstone volcano, together with the characteristic geological composition of the park itself, which, as is known, is in the middle of an immensity of rocky mountains.
Apart from those mentioned, there is also a spectacular fauna, among which the following are displayed:
- Brown and black bears
- bison
- Rams
- Wolves
- moose
- Pumas
- moose
- Great variety of types of birds, of which the Bald Eagle stands out, among others.
Fun Facts about the Yellowstone Volcano
The following are those that are classified as curious facts about this great volcano, which has the power to take away the sleep of more than one American inhabitant. They are:
- El Yellowstone volcano It has been in a protected area since 1872, being located in the most remote national park on the globe.
- A mighty part of Yellowstone National Park, it sits atop a supervolcano that is, to my amazement, fully active.
- The name with which it is identified is attributed to the Yellowstone River, which corresponds to the largest area of those that make up the park.
- Its "Great Prismatic Fountain" is its main attraction, to which one of the spectacular surrealist demonstrations appreciable is attributed. Which is, a hot spring that has a diameter of 367 feet, where its algae have the virtue of generating certain shades of colors. This area is classified as highly dangerous due to the temperature that is experienced, which oscillates around 188 °F.
- It has to attract its visitors a figure that easily exceeds 500 geysers with constant activity, which corresponds to an amount that exceeds half of the totality registered on the globe.
- The park offers constant daytime and nighttime activities for its visitors in which amazement will not cease to be present.
- Its fauna is completely varied and special, registering an average of 67 species of mammals and 285 species of Types of birds.
- There is an amount that exceeds 700 grizzly bears.
- Annually it attracts the visit of at least four million people from all over the world.