As a accountable scientist, Mike Poland hears many misconceptions in regards to the Yellowstone volcanic system. Listed here are some FAMs – widespread misconceptions raised:
Is the Yellowstone Eruption Overdue?
No, mentioned Poland. He is heard that Yellowstone erupts each 600,000 years on common. The final main eruption was 631,000 years in the past; the 2 earlier eruptions have been 2.1 million and 1.3 million years in the past, so the common time between them is about 730,000 years. However even that quantity relies on restricted information, so it is “mainly ineffective,” mentioned the geophysicist. And volcanoes do not commonly accumulate magma, so they do not erupt commonly.
Will the subsequent Yellowstone eruption be an Armageddon-level explosion?
Not all eruptions are Armageddon, Poland mentioned. The most typical kind in Yellowstone is a lava circulation, and so they solely happen each ten thousand years. There have been greater than 20 lava flows for the reason that final main explosive eruption 631,000 years in the past.
Can a West Coast seismic occasion trigger an eruption in Yellowstone?
No. Many individuals assume that every one volcanoes are linked, Poland mentioned. They consider the subsequent main Cascadia quake will set off Yellowstone, or vice versa. However volcanoes do not work like that, he mentioned.
Are we seeing extra volcanic exercise now?
No. Volcanoes are at present no extra energetic than at different instances, Poland mentioned. Individuals are inclined to have biased the importance of latest occasions, Poland mentioned, and volcanic exercise in Hawaii, Iceland and St. Vincent within the Caribbean has drawn plenty of consideration.
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