What Would Happen If Yellowstone's Supervolcano Erupted?

Live Science ^ | 2 May, 2016 | Becky Oskin

[MtnClimber]

Although fears of a Yellowstone volcanic blast go viral every few years, there are better things to worry about than a catastrophic supereruption exploding from the bowels of Yellowstone National Park.

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Yellowstone Volcano Observatory always pooh-pooh these worrisome memes, but that doesn't mean researchers are ignoring the possible consequences of a supereruption. Along with forecasting the damage, scientists constantly monitor the region for signs of molten rock tunneling underground. Scientists scrutinize past supereruptions, as well as smaller volcanic blasts, to predict what would happen if the Yellowstone Volcano did blow.

Here's a deeper look at whether Yellowstone's volcano would fire up a global catastrophe.

Probing Yellowstone's past Most of Yellowstone National Park sits inside three overlapping calderas. The shallow, bowl-shaped depressions formed when an underground magma chamber erupted at Yellowstone. Each time, so much material spewed out that the ground collapsed downward, creating a caldera. The massive blasts struck 2.1 million, 1.3 million and 640,000 years ago. These past eruptions serve as clues to understanding what would happen if there was another Yellowstone megaexplosion. [Yellowstone and Yosemite: Two of the World's Oldest National Parks

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

It would super suck.

[MtnClimber]

What will happen to the wolves, grizzly bears and Bison?

[Newbomb Turk]

Ain’t nobody got time fo dat !

[LostInBayport]

Congress would impose a new Yellowstone tax to combat the effects of the eruption.

[paintriot]

Many would die. Many would poop themselves.

[Rurudyne]

There won’t even be daisies to push up in the region for years.

[jazusamo]

Probably cooked well done, or worse.

[Telepathic Intruder]

Minorities would be hardest hit.

[rockinqsranch]

It would be messy.

[piytar]

If Yellowstone pops? We all die.

Be right with God...

[Paladin2]

It will be a poor ski/golf season at The Yellowstone Club?

[piytar]

If Yellowstone pops? We all die.

Be right with God...

[Bratch]

Sounds like someone’s trolling for more research grants.

[The Mayor]

We would all die, let it blow

[taterjay]

Mother nature would not apologize or pay for the damage, following the lead of the EPa in Colorado.

[Fai Mao]

The democrats would blame Bush; Donald Trump would blame China and Ted Cruz would find a way poach some more delegates

[SaveFerris]

That woman was awesome. I’d shake her hand if I met her.

[MtnClimber]

The democRATs will blame it on global warming, even the old eruptions.

[Riley]

What will happen to the wolves, grizzly bears and Bison?

For the briefest instant, they would be cooked to perfection.