A new study by researchers from the USGS has revealed that magma beneath Yellowstone National Park may be shifting in a northeasterly direction, raising concerns about an impending eruption. The team used an innovative electromagnetic technique to map the distribution of magma beneath the caldera, uncovering at least seven areas with higher magma content, some of which are connected and feed into each other.
The study found that volcanic activity is decreasing in the western part of the caldera, with future eruptions more likely to occur in the northeast. The researchers also discovered up to 105 cubic miles of molten rock in the crust beneath northeastern Yellowstone, equivalent to the volume of magma released during the second most recent caldera-forming eruption at Yellowstone.
The shift in magma direction and increased activity in the northeast raise concerns about an upcoming eruption. However, further research is needed to determine when the northeastern magma reservoir might erupt. The study’s findings provide valuable insights into the complex geology of the Yellowstone Caldera, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and research into this highly active volcanic system.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/yellowstone-supervolcano-magma-reservoir-northeast-eruption-geology-2008069