Yellowstone supervolcano fed by bigger plume

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News

The underground volcanic plume at Yellowstone in the US may be bigger than previously thought, according to a new study by geologists.

The volcanic hotspot below Yellowstone feeds the hot springs, mud pots and geysers that bring millions of visitors to the US national park each year.

But the Yellowstone "supervolcano" has erupted violently in the distant past and could do so again at some point.

The new study is set to be published in Geophysical Research Letters journal.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13061779

[liberal N proud]

1. The science of Yellowstone is incredible

And to think the corporations would tap the energy if they would be allowed.

[tabasco]

18. Geothermal is the cleanest form of energy.

Why shouldn't corporations be allowed to use it?

Coal mining:

[liberal N proud]

19. Because they would do to Yellowstone what the coal has done to West Virgina

Yellowstone is not only a beautiful sanctuary but also very fragile environment. Why should we allow corporations to destroy it?

[tabasco]

20. I didn't post correctly.

I don't support development in the park.

Just in the surrounding area.

[liberal N proud]

21. Two things

The surrounding area is part of the beauty of Yellowstone and the geothermal system they would tap into would and could effect the features in the park.

Haven't the corporations destroyed enough?

[tabasco]

22. I support geothermal energy development.

It is much less harmful to the environment than coal, oil, or nuclear.

Where it is feasible, it should be developed. Burning fossil fuels hurts trees, watersheds and people.

[XemaSab]

25. There is no free energy

I live near many active geothermal areas, and I'd much rather have a few geothermal plants tucked back in the woods than a massive wind farm that's visible for miles, whacks migrating eagles, and DOESN'T provide a reliable source of energy.

I don't understand why more geothermal plants haven't been constructed in northern California.

[liberal N proud]

26. When OIL was first discovered it was just a few oil rigs...

tucked back in the woods pumping oil from the ground. Look where that lead us.

[xchrom]

2. ouch! hot! nt

[Judi Lynn]

3. dipsydoodle, what are the chances you can put up a lot of DU'er visitors

for the next, oh, 50 years or so? Or longer?

It's probably a good time to visit you in England. We'll just all drop by, if you don't mind!

http://i444.photobucket.com.nyud.net:8090/albums/qq165/junah42/Snark/Falme/stickfigure50x30ani.gif http://i444.photobucket.com.nyud.net:8090/albums/qq165/junah42/Snark/Falme/stickfigure50x30ani.gif http://i444.photobucket.com.nyud.net:8090/albums/qq165/junah42/Snark/Falme/stickfigure50x30ani.gif

Help!
'

[Pale Blue Dot]

5. If and when this goes off, there will not be a single safe place in the world.

The entire planet may go dark. Fun, huh?

[1monster]

6. I'm thinking that if Yellowstone does go up, it might be better to be close by and

be vaporized instantly rather than to slowly suffocate, dehydraqte (due to the fouled water), and starve (due to the ash cover all over the Earth disallowing sunlight and plant growth)...

[rasputin1952]

9. Yep...when it goes, it's gonna be a global disaster...

then again, we might get popped by a huge asteroid before then. Think of a 1000'+ wave hitting the Eastern US, SA, Europe, Africa if it plops into the Atlantic.

We live in a wild universe.

[Taverner]

12. Food will come from greenhouses, instead of farms

Artificial light will be the only way to get anything to grow

Corporations will get their dream come true when the only water you can drink comes from their plants

Certain plants that just don't grow in greenhouses will go extinct.

It will be a mass extinction that could kill off a good 30-90% of all life on Earth

[dipsydoodle]

13. Sound thought that.

They do say that when it does go the world will lose a summer or two.

On the upside it'll sure fuck Monsanto.

[Taverner]

14. Oh I have no doubt Monsanto is at working making plants that prefer artificial light

This will actually be a profitable event - killing every other plant on the Earth but those patented by Monsanto.

[NickB79]

23. That assumes you could keep the lights on

Such an eruption would be something that could send global civilization into such turmoil that supply chains may falter and the production and shipment of technology vital to maintaining our infrastructure would be curtailed.

[dipsydoodle]

10. I'd do my best.

:grouphug:

[Warpy]

15. That thing goes and population all over the world will collapse

because it will take years for the dust to settle out so that food can be grown again.

[a la izquierda]

4. hopefully it's not going off any time soon

or if it does, it's a smaller eruption.

[rasputin1952]

7. If the Yellowstone cauldera goes, I'm in Nebraska...

all I can do is take a couple of xanax, sit out back and watch the show. In about 1000 years, someone might find my carcass...:D

There is the Ashfall Fossil Bed out here, they figure the animals died during the last blowout of an Idaho caldera about 12 million years ago and were buried in mud. Lot's of interesting critters out there, all sort of "washed up" bonefields.

http://ashfall.unl.edu/index.html

[Renew Deal]

8. lol

:rofl:

[Javaman]

17. Get a little sign made of bronze to hang around you neck that says...

"I told you so"

:rofl:

[florida08]

11. Holy crap

Bigger than previously thought?

http://www.solcomhouse.com/yellowstone.htm

Video about halfway

[Javaman]

16. wrong spot...nt

[rayofreason]

24. It will erupt....

...sometime.

Nothing that can be done about it either. When it does, North America is in deep trouble.

But "sometime" could be in a few hundred thousand years.