Recent discoveries at the Yellowstone supervolcano are causing some concern, with researchers noticing significant movement beneath the surface.
The iconic caldera, which is located underneath Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, has been dormant for nearly 640,000 years.
Now, scientists are paying close attention to changes that may signal future activity.
While this has sparked fears of a potential eruption, experts suggest there’s no immediate cause for alarm.
Magma Movement and Shifting Volcanic Activity
Researchers studying Yellowstone’s crater have detected magma moving northeast within the caldera, which is a massive crater formed by past volcanic eruptions.
This shift in activity marks a change from previous volcanic patterns, which had been focused on the western regions of the park.
As a result, scientists believe that if an eruption were to occur, it could now happen in the northeastern part of Yellowstone instead.
Findings from the Magnetotelluric Survey
To investigate these changes, scientists conducted a magnetotelluric survey across the Yellowstone Caldera.
This technique uses Earth’s natural signals, such as radio waves and magnetic vibes, to detect underground activity.
By mapping these signals, they gained insight into the location of magma reservoirs beneath the surface.
The results were reassuring, as they revealed that while the magma beneath Yellowstone is present in large quantities, it is stored in deep, separate underground reservoirs.
These reservoirs are not connected in a way that would lead to an eruption, at least not in the immediate future.
Lead researcher Ninfa Bennington, a geophysicist at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, explained that the magma is simply not concentrated enough to trigger a volcanic event anytime soon.
Two Types of Magma and Their Impact
The research also confirmed that there are two main types of magma beneath the caldera: basaltic and rhyolitic.
Basaltic magma, which is produced by the melting of the Earth’s mantle, is more fluid and can lead to eruptions.
However, this type of magma is deep beneath the surface and unlikely to cause an eruption.
The other type, rhyolitic magma, is thicker and more resistant to flow, requiring significant pressure to erupt.
Despite this, rhyolitic magma has caused major eruptions in Yellowstone’s past.
Is an Eruption Likely in Our Lifetime?
Although Yellowstone has had several massive eruptions in the past, experts believe another large eruption is unlikely anytime soon.
Based on the distribution of magma, especially in the northeastern part of the caldera, researchers have concluded that this region will remain volcanically active.
However, due to the current lack of volcanic connections beneath the surface, it is unlikely that we will see a cataclysmic eruption within our lifetimes.
Despite the findings, the researchers concluded that Yellowstone remains a fascinating area of study for volcanologists, but for now, tourists need not worry about an impending eruption.
As Yellowstone continues to be a geological hotspot, future investigations will offer even more insights into its active volcano system.