Supervolcano?! (earthquake, living, moving)

[BABsMom]

Okay, this is a new one for me. I saw the special on the Discovery Channel a few years ago, when supposedly they were deciding on whether or not it was true. Does anyone know if there's any "plans" if it erupts, or logically, can there really be any plans?? I don't know too muc on it, but it being North America's largest active volcano, and one of the largest in the country, it kind of freaks me out a little. Anyone with any information??? Thanks

[HighlandLady]

I remember that film...stirred a lot of reaction and alarmists had a field day. Yes, Yellowstone sits on a supervolcano. Whether or not it will erupt in the near future (meaning in the next couple of thousand years) is anyone's guess....certainly not something to deter whether or not you move to Wyoming. Alarmists love these sort of things, and while there is always a chance she could go, it more than likely is not going to tomorrow. There are scientists constantly monitoring it and all one can do is hope that a.) there is enough warning to get away or b.) providing that there isn't enough of a warning, it will be quick.

[Mt-7]

always have a spare bag of marshmallows and some hot dogs

[tekape]

Yes, it's true....and when it does explode...there's no exacuation....we're toasty,crispy critters....it will probably have devastating global effects. I'm not concerned in the least....when it's our time, it's our time and there's nothing that will change it.

[msdmckee]

I look at it as having a most interesting science event in our back yard!

Check out: Volcanic history of the Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field, Wyoming

Use Google Earth to look at the ancient path of the hot spot up the Snake River Plain.

Try: Latest Earthquakes - Last 7 Days and you can see that Yellowstone, on a daily basis, is the least of our worries. It's just closer to home!

The Earth is LIVING!!!

[sixofone]

Originally Posted by BABsMom

Okay, this is a new one for me. I saw the special on the Discovery Channel a few years ago, when supposedly they were deciding on whether or not it was true. Does anyone know if there's any "plans" if it erupts, or logically, can there really be any plans?? I don't know too muc on it, but it being North America's largest active volcano, and one of the largest in the country, it kind of freaks me out a little. Anyone with any information??? Thanks

I wouldn't worry to much. There's a whole raft of documentaries that detail the "threats" to life on earth--plagues, mega-tsunamis, earthquakes, nuclear war, nuclear winter, asteroids, comets, global warming, global ice ages,gamma rays from space, solar flares, etc. etc. They're entertaining shows, but you're far more likely to die in a lightning strike or a traffic accident.

[Wyomiles]

Yep it's there . The geology of the area is fantastic. This is actually a giant stationary hot spot under the plates and the plates are moving westward over the top of it.

[BABsMom]

Originally Posted by msdmckee

I look at it as having a most interesting science event in our back yard!

Check out: Volcanic history of the Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field, Wyoming

Use Google Earth to look at the ancient path of the hot spot up the Snake River Plain.

Try: Latest Earthquakes - Last 7 Days and you can see that Yellowstone, on a daily basis, is the least of our worries. It's just closer to home!

The Earth is LIVING!!!

Wow, thanks, those were really interesting! I found that where I live now (which is close to the New Madrid fault line), odds are I was more likely to get hit with an earthquake here than an eruption when we go there. Also it said that it's only erupted three times, so I hope it stays at that number! I've always liked geology, so it's going to be a fun, kind of scary, trip to visit the park next Summer! Thanks again!

[JEN121570]

Yes, it's true that most of western WY sits on a supervolcano site, but don't worry about it. We'll all be dead and gone before it erupts again. Go and enjoy Yellowstone. Just watch out for bears!