Yellowstone National Park, one of the world’s largest supervolcanoes, appears to be experiencing a shift in its magma reservoirs. According to new research led by seismologist Ninfa Bennington, the region’s magma is moving northeast towards an area not previously associated with significant volcanic activity.
The study suggests that this new hotspot could be the locus of future rhyolitic volcanism, which would produce massive eruptions capable of affecting global climate. Yellowstone has a history of producing three caldera-forming eruptions in the past 2 million years, and scientists warn that another disaster is possible.
Researchers used magnetotelluric surveys to model the distribution of melt reservoirs beneath the Yellowstone Caldera, revealing seven distinct regions of high magma content at depths between 4-47 kilometers. The northeast region shows the most significant melt storage, with estimated volumes comparable to previous caldera-forming eruptions.
The study’s findings highlight a complex interaction between different types of magma and chambers, which could influence future volcanic activity. However, more analysis is needed to determine exactly when and how these future eruptions will occur.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/volcanic-activity-beneath-yellowstones-massive-caldera-could-be-on-the-move