Strange Rumblings from Yellowstone Super Volcano Puzzle Researchers

Researchers are puzzled by recent findings concerning recent activity in Yellowstone parks super volcano. Fox News reports that there has been significant activity around the crater caldera. The rising of the valley floor and a subtle lowering of the local mountain range has some scientists confused. During normal activity it is usual for a mountain range to rise, and for the valley floor to sink, however, in this area, things seem to be a little bit turned around.

Super volcanoes usually sleep for thousands and even millions of years at a time, so scientists don't believe that this is the sign of an impending eruption. However, it has been about 600,000 years since the current crater was formed by an eruption. It is reported that an eruption of the magnitude that this volcano is capable of would destroy a good portion of the US, and would, indeed, affect the rest of the world. Causing a blast similar to a nuclear blast, and sending millions of tons of ash and dangerous chemicals in the air would be accompanied by a blasting of hot liquid magma. If this type of an eruption were to occur here it would be truly devastating to the planet as well as the nation; the local area would be utterly destroyed. Some believe that the costs, both financially as well as of human life, would be catastrophic.

The researchers also found that the huge crater has been rising and falling at a much greater rate, and height, than in the past. This can indicate the presence of vast amounts of magma pressurizing under the earths crust in this area; however, a build up of steam is believed to be the cause in this case. Although researchers are skeptical concerning an impending eruption, the consensus is that it would be a good idea to keep an eye on things and keep track of any changes so that were the volcano to erupt, people could have some bit of warning, and hopefully time to prepare and leave the area.

The volcanoes activity is also reported to be having a very strange effect on a local fault line as well. The Teton fault has been moving, it appears, in the opposite direction that it was originally believed to be. Normally, with this type of fault line, the ground is separated by tectonic forces causing fissures, however in the Jackson Hole area, it seems to be doing the opposite and forcing itself further into the mountain range. Researchers are indicating that this type of activity usually causes even worse damage, due to the release of more energy, than a typical earth quake.

Let's hope that the researchers are right in this case, no one would want the kind of nation wide devastation that an eruption of this super volcano would cause.