Deep beneath the iconic Yellowstone Supervolcano lies a network of magma reservoirs that could signal a shift towards increased volcanic activity, particularly in the northeast region. Researchers from the US Geological Survey and Oregon State University have been examining the natural electromagnetic fields surrounding the Yellowstone Caldera. Their findings reveal at least seven significant magma reservoirs, varying in depth from 4 to 47 kilometers, situated near the critical juncture of the Earth’s crust and mantle. Many of these reservoirs are interconnected, suggesting a complex system where magma may transfer between them.
Interestingly, the data indicates that volcanic activity in the western sectors of Yellowstone may be on the decline. Specific areas within the caldera contain magma chambers with low melt fractions, reducing the likelihood of eruptions in those regions. Conversely, a noteworthy discovery has been made of a substantial reservoir of rhyolitic magma, which is often associated with explosive eruptions, located beneath the northeast part of the Yellowstone Caldera. This reservoir is receiving heat and material from basalt rising from the Earth’s lower crust, accumulating up to 440 cubic kilometers of magma beneath the surface.
The implications of this research suggest that the potential for future explosive volcanic activity has shifted towards the northeast Yellowstone Caldera, increasing the chances of eruptions in this area. However, it is crucial to understand that these findings do not imply that an eruption is imminent. Volcanic activity typically unfolds over geological timescales, which are vastly longer than our human timelines. Over the past 2.1 million years, Yellowstone has witnessed three major explosive eruptions, with an average recurrence interval of about 725,000 years. While the most recent significant eruption occurred 631,000 years ago, it does not indicate that another is about to happen.
As predicting volcanic behavior is notoriously challenging, a cautious approach is always advisable. The research detailing these significant findings has been published in the esteemed journal Nature.
