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September 5, 2008 6:20:01 PM CDT

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Yellowstone Volcanic Floor Rises

Posted Nov 8, 07 6:34 PM CST in US,  Science & Health 

(Newser) – A blob of errant magma gathering 6 miles beneath Yellowstone National Park—the same molten rock that makes Old Faithful spurt and heats the park's famous hot springs—has caused the caldera, or volcanic floor, to rise 3 inches since 2004. Scientists say that though the rate of increase is unprecedented, there is no imminent risk of eruption, LiveScience reports.

The dislodged magma covers an underground area as large as Los Angeles, though it is only tens to hundreds of yards thick. Yellowstone boasts North America's largest volcanic field, produced by a plume of molten rock beginning roughly 400 miles down. "There is no evidence of an imminent volcanic eruption or hydrothermal explosion," one researcher said. "That's the bottom line."

Source LiveScience

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USA. Montana.Yellowstone Park. 1992. (LON67516)   (Magnum Photos)
This undated handout photo provided by the journal Science shows Octopus Spring, an alkaline siliceous hot spring in Yellow Stone National Park. The wonderland known as Yellowstone National Park has yielded...   (Associated Press)
This undated handout photo provided by the journal Science shows Effluent channel of Twin Butte Vista Spring, an alkaline siliceous hot spring in Yellow Stone National Park. The wonderland known as Yellowstone...   (Associated Press)
A252/18: Yellowstone National Park: view of Old Faithful   (Archive Photos)
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