Yellowstone Supervolcano: Updated Information And Warnings

The volcano of Yellowstone National Park has made headlines with research that presents a possibility that this supervolcano may erupt much sooner than expected.

Yellowstone Supervolcano

According to one Fox News report: Arizona State University researchers have analyzed minerals around the supervolcano at Yellowstone National Park and have come to a startling conclusion. It could blow much faster than previously expected, potentially wiping out life as we know it.

According to National Geographic, the researchers, Hannah Shamloo and Christy Till, analyzed minerals in fossilized ash from the most recent eruption. What they discovered surprised them – the changes in temperature and composition only took a few decades, much faster than the centuries previously thought.

“We expected that there might be processes happening over thousands of years preceding the eruption,” said Till said in an interview with the New York Times.

The supervolcano last erupted about 630,000 years ago, according to National Geographic. Prior to that, it was 1.3 million years ago, per a report from ZME Science.

If another eruption were to take place, the researchers found that the supervolcano would spare almost nothing in its wrath. It would shoot 2,500 times more material than Mount St. Helen did in 1980 and could cover most of the contiguous U.S. in ash, possibly putting the planet into a volcanic winter.

Despite the concerns, researchers state that more research needs to be done before a definite conclusion can be drawn.

Researchers state that in June 2017 the supervolcano was hit with 464 earthquakes. They go on to state, however, that these earthquake swarms aren’t anything to be alarmed about.

NASA is currently working on a proposed solution to save mankind and life as we know it if an eruption were to occur. Click here to read more on NASA’s proposed plan.

Must Know Safety Tips In The Case Of A Volcanic Eruption

As with any other natural disaster, it is important to know what to do before, during, and after a volcanic eruption. To bring you the most detailed information possible on safety precautions, I took to the internet to bring you the best…and I came across this gem! (source)

Before an Eruption:

• Be prepared to take shelter or evacuate and review your plans with family members.
• Pick a safe place to meet.
• Put together an emergency supply kit.

If you evacuate:

• Tune in the radio or television for volcano updates. If told to evacuate do so. It can be dangerous to wait out an eruption.
• Listen for disaster sirens and warning signals.
• Take only essential items. Be sure to pack at least a one-week supply of prescription medications.
• Fill your vehicle's gas tank.
• If no vehicle is available, make arrangements with friends or family for transportation, or follow authorities' instructions on where to obtain transportation.
• Turn off the gas, electricity and water.
• Disconnect appliances to reduce likelihood of electrical shock when power is restored.
• Follow designation evacuation routes and expect heavy traffic and delays.

If you take shelter:

• Keep listening to your radio or watch television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local authorities may evacuate specific areas at greatest risk in your community.
• Close and lock all windows and outside doors.
• Place damp towels at door thresholds and other draft sources. Tape draughty windows.
• Turn off all heating and air conditioning systems and fans.
• Close fireplace and furnace dampers.
• Organize your emergency supplies and make sure all household members know where the supplies are located.
• Fill your clean water containers.
• Fill sinks and bathtubs with water as an extra supply for washing.
• Make sure the radio is working.
• Go to an interior room without windows that is above ground level.
• Ensure pets and livestock have clean food, water and shelter.
• Store all vehicles and machinery in a garage or other shelter.
• Call your emergency contact – a friend or family member who does not live near the volcano – and have the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition. Remember that communication services may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.

During an Eruption:

• Don't panic – stay calm.
• Follow evacuation orders, if issued by authorities.
• Stay indoors.
• Avoid areas downwind and river valleys downstream of the volcano.
• If outside, seek shelter (e.g. car or building).
• Keep doors, windows, dampers and ventilation closed until the ash settles.
• Use a respiratory mask, handkerchief or cloth over your nose and mouth.
• Do not tie up phone lines with non-emergency calls.
• Listen to your local radio for information on the eruption and cleanup plans.
• If there is ash in your water, let it settle and then use the clear water.  Water contaminated by ash will usually make drinking water unpalatable before it presents a health risk.
• You may eat vegetables from the garden, but wash them first.
• Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance – infants, elderly people and people with access and functional needs.

After an Eruption:

• Go to a designated public shelter if you feel it is unsafe to remain in your home.
• Stay indoors until the ash has settled, unless there is a danger of the roof collapsing.
• Keep all heating and air conditioning units and fans turned off, and windows, doors, and fireplace and woodstove dampers closed.
• Clear heavy ash from flat or low-pitched roofs and rain gutters.
• Let family members know you are safe.
• Listen to the radio, watch TV or check the Internet often for official updates and information about air quality, drinking water and road conditions.
• Avoid running vehicle engines. Volcanic ash can clog engines, damage moving parts and stall vehicles.
• Avoid driving in heavy ash fall unless absolutely required. If you need to drive, keep the speed down to 50 km per hour or slower.
• Protect yourself from ash by wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, using goggles and a respiratory mask

What are your thoughts on the new research found on this supervolcano? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

Check out our previous article on tips for surviving natural disasters: Surviving Natural Disasters: Safe Points in the Household

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on October 27, 2017, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.