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Yellowstone Sits on 'Supervolcano'

Underground volcanic material spans larger area than previously believed

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 14, 2011 3:45 PM CDT

(Newser) – The volcanic plume that powers Yellowstone’s geysers and hot springs may be bigger than we thought, and it could someday erupt—not for the first time. The “hotspot” unleashed three major blasts long ago, covering a huge portion of the continent with ash, the BBC reports. Researchers made their discoveries by studying changes in the electrical conductivity of the area’s molten rocks and hot water, marking a shift from a 2009 study that examined seismic waves. Click through for more on the Yellowstone findings.

Visitors to Yellowstone National Park photograph the Old Faithful geyser as it rockets 100-feet skyward.
Visitors to Yellowstone National Park photograph the Old Faithful geyser as it rockets 100-feet skyward.   (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Yellowstone has about 300 geysers and 10,000 hot springs, bubbling mudpots and steam vents.
Yellowstone has about 300 geysers and 10,000 hot springs, bubbling mudpots and steam vents.   (AP Photo/Daniel Harpaz)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 14 comments
baranoww
Apr 15, 2011 3:35 PM CDT
No it doesn't.
seekeroftruth
Apr 15, 2011 11:25 AM CDT
well let me educate u trolls that try to impress by understating everything. lets see the title is CRAP and this is not OLD news thats like saying oh the crystal ballroom cave wasnt discovered it was always there... the plume has been explored further than EVER yes we already knew this thing was a massive BEAST but its good to know more about it since it controls our future. NO investing in geo thermal energy from this thing would not be smart NOR relieve pressure ... maybe 10000 years from now we can do it with armies of nano bots being powered by wireless quantum computer but untill then lets leave it alone...also you should know that the direction of the lower plume dipicted in the 3d image runs west underneath the east side of idaho and there has been a lot of recent earthquake activity ... i didnt think it was related but now i understand its pushing its load to the front of the supervolcano...VERY important to know ... if u care about avoiding a ashy death
JoeQ
Apr 14, 2011 9:20 PM CDT
I'm not worried. My insurance guy says that if Yellowstone erupts I'll be covered.
 

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