Scientists have discovered a critical magma cap at Yellowstone National Park, which is likely preventing a massive eruption. The cap, located 2.4 miles below the surface, traps pressure and heat above it, acting as a lid to stabilize the volcanic system. Researchers used a device that injects low-frequency vibrations into the Earth to study its geology.
The discovery reveals that Yellowstone’s supervolcano has more magma beneath the caldera than previously thought. The magma cap consists of molten silicate materials, supercritical water bubbles within porous rock, and forms when the magma rises and decompresses, causing gases to separate from the melt.
Volcanic eruptions occur as the bubbles accumulate and increase in buoyancy, driving an explosion. However, data suggests that Yellowstone’s system is currently stable, with the magma reservoir actively releasing gas and “breathing” through cracks and channels.
The discovery was challenging due to the park’s complex geology, but researchers developed a new technique using structural seismic imaging to capture high-quality images of the magma reservoir. The finding offers clues to future volcanic activity in Yellowstone’s extensive system.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/hidden-magma-cap-discovered-yellowstone-national-park/story?id=121083908