How far would a Yellowstone eruption spread?


How far would a Yellowstone eruption spread? The total energy released would be equivalent to an 875,000 megaton explosion. The shockwave would kill 90,000 people. Most of the lava would fall back into the crater. Any flows would be slow and only spread 40-50km or so.


What states are in danger if Yellowstone erupts?

Those parts of the surrounding states of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming that are closest to Yellowstone would be affected by pyroclastic flows, while other places in the United States would be impacted by falling ash (the amount of ash would decrease with distance from the eruption site).


What would happen to the climate if Yellowstone erupted?

The most wide reaching effect of a Yellowstone eruption would be much colder weather. Volcanoes can inject sulphur gas into the upper atmosphere, forming sulphuric acid aerosols that rapidly spread around the globe. Scientists believe sulphuric aerosols are the main cause of climatic cooling after an eruption.


What cities would be destroyed if Yellowstone erupts?

Major US cities like Denver, Salt Lake City, and Boise would also possibly destroyed upon eruption.


How far would Yellowstone volcano affect?

Yellowstone Super Volcano FAQ If the Yellowstone supervolcano ever erupted, it would bring about a calamity for most of the United States. The supervolcano would spew deadly volcanic ash for thousands of miles across the entire country.


What are the 3 super volcanoes in the US?

Three of the seven supervolcanoes in the world are in the U.S.:
  • California: Long Valley Caldera.
  • New Mexico: Valles Caldera.
  • Wyoming: Yellowstone.


Would Florida be affected by Yellowstone?

Yellowstone volcano eruption simulations show an unexpected blast would produce ash fallout from the Northwest US down to the southern tip of Florida. Volcanic ash fallout of more than 39.4 inches (one metre) would blanket Yellowstone's immediate vicinity in the states of Wyoming, Montana and Utah.


How many people would be affected if Yellowstone erupted?

It would kill around 100,000 people instantly and make most of North America uninhabitable as huge amounts of ash and dust would be thrown into the atmosphere.


Would Yellowstone cause an ice age?

No. A very large volcanic eruption would cause a severe cold period called a volcanic winter, but not an ice age. Volcanic eruptions cool the planet by creating a fine aerosol of sulfuric acid in the stratosphere. The highly reflective droplets prevent a portion of the sun's light from reaching and heating the surface.


How hot is the hottest pool in Yellowstone?

The hottest springs in the deepest part of the lake, at 125 m (410 ft) below the water, have a temperature of 174 °C (345 °F). Hot springs in the ocean are even deeper and under more water pressure and, therefore, they have temperatures of up to 400 °C (750 °F)!


How big would the blast radius of Yellowstone be?

Based on past research and the general location of the volcano itself, the blast radius of Yellowstone's calderas is quite large. When it comes to lava and magma flows spewing forth from this volcanic eruption, Yellowstone National Park would likely need to evacuate everyone within a 40 to 50 mile radius.


Could humans survive Yellowstone eruption?

Can we survive a Yellowstone eruption? A massive eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano would spread deadly ash for thousands of miles, killing plant life and affecting humans in its path. Humans who were in its path would surely die, but it would not mean the extinction of the entire human race.


Would New York be affected by Yellowstone erupting?

If the big volcano, which last erupted 640,000 years ago, were to blow up again, it would spew enough ash to send particles as far away as New York City.


Where is the safest place to be if Yellowstone erupts?

A: For the most likely type of volcanic eruption in Yellowstone, everywhere would be safe except in the immediate vicinity of the advancing lava flow. In the highly improbable event of a large catastrophic eruption, the great the distance from the eruptive center, the safer it would be.