Yellowstone Super-volcano Case Study - H. E. Flashcards
When did volcanic activity approximately begin in Yellowstone?
2 million years ago, when a caldera formed
Roughly how long ago did the two major eruptions occur?
1.3 million years, 640,000 years
Have other eruptions occurred other than the two major eruptions?
Yes, many smaller ones
Why is it difficult to find the specific number of eruptions from Yellowstone?
They may have been buried or destroyed by later eruptions, the volume of ejected material is unknown
How far did ash from Yellowstone’s largest eruption reach and what was its impact on the globe?
Ash around globe, a noticeable but temporary decrease in global temperature
Are volcanic events predictable?
No, they do not follow a regular pattern
What kind of hazards are most likely from Yellowstone?
Lava flow or hydrothermal event
Is the Yellowstone caldera rising?
It is rising and falling however this does not necessarily indicate imminent eruption
When did the super-volcano last erupt?
70,000 years ago
Why could a volcanic eruption occur at any time at Yellowstone?
The hot spot under Yellowstone heats, stretches and weakens the crustal rock, enabling magma to rise
Is there a risk of a super-volcano style eruption soon?
The risk is exceedingly low
