Case study of a supervolcano Flashcards
1
Q
Location
A
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, North America
2
Q
Characteristics
A
Magma chamber is 8km deep, caused by an eruption 630,000 years ago that released over 1000km³ of ash, rock and pyroclastic materials. Has had 3 super eruptions, which blanketed North America with ash and caused huge impacts on the world’s weather patterns.
3
Q
Potential effects of an eruption
A
National: two thirds of the USA would be uninhabitable, water supply contaminated
Global: Global temperatures lowers by 20°C because the ash cloud would obscure the sun. Change in climate would take 6-10 years to return to normal. Food chain very disrupted, people and animals die, monsoon would fail- mass starvation.
