“The thing is….if the caldera blows, pretty much everything West of the Mississippi is gone”
Likely the west coast coastal areas and up to the summit of the Cascades would be spared the worst of it (I know some people would like it to be the reverse). And most of CA would be spared (in the same category).
I live about 100 miles east of the Cascades and am probably just at the edge of the expected worst impact zone. Distance from Yellowstone about 600 miles. So much depends on the winds aloft at the time of an eruption. This whole area typically experiences westerly and southwesterly winds most of the year and sometimes northerly in winter. Easterly winds basically don’t happen except for small areas. If winds are strong and westerly at the time of the eruption heavy ash flow could occur as far east as Vermont. However, many volcanologists believe the Yellowstone formation is too old geologically to sustain another major eruption, at least another near million megaton one.
You are correct. I was thinking everything between Yellowstone and the river. It didn’t occur to me right away that the areas west of the area would be largely spared.
Anyway….it’s a fun mental exercise. But in reality it’s one of those “it’s just too big and bad” to get excited about.
I guess the east coast shouldn’t put away their snow shovels.
Ping to #55 for Idaho guys and what are your thoughts on prevailing winds in the area?