We just returned from a week in Yellowstone on Monday. We didn’t feel any earthquakes.
There is a series of calderas extending to the southwest of Yellowstone. These represent huge volcanic eruptions that have occurred over the last few tens of millions of years. Since the American tectonic plate is moving across an enormous pocket of molten magma, the next eruption will not be in the exact same place as the previous one, but to the northeast. Given the size of previous eruptions, I don’t expect that much living in the newest caldera will survive, even if the eruption is not directly underneath.
When you visit Yellowstone, the magma may be as close as 3 miles below the surface. This does not seem to concern the visitors (who would die instantly in an eruption, anyway) but does make for some spectacular hot springs, geysers, fumaroles, mud pots, etc. It is definitely worth a visit (or 2 or 3...).
Don’t try to feed the “buffalo”.....
Do you know if the Great Salt Lake is one of the old calderas?
We went there last August and were thinking about going again this August. This sure puts a damper on the enthusiasm I had about returning, lol. It probably won’t erupt during our lifetimes, but you never know.
*** “When you visit Yellowstone, the magma may be as close as 3 miles below the surface. This does not seem to concern the visitors (who would die instantly in an eruption, anyway) but does make for some spectacular hot springs, geysers, fumaroles, mud pots, etc. It is definitely worth a visit (or 2 or 3...)” ***
I spent a month back in the 70’s hitch hiking/hiking camping all over the Park, Rangers were always telling me to get bells and go back where the Tourists were ... too young to listen, it is amazing that I didn’t end up being Grizzley food. ;^)