Super

Volcanoes
Kathleen Rice • GEOG 1700
What is a supervolcano?
A supervolcano is a large volcano that has had an
eruption with a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 8, the
largest recorded value on the index. This means the
volume of deposits for that eruption is greater than
1,000 cubic kilometers.
FUN
FACT We are very close to a
supervolcano that is located
in Yellowstone.

The ash from the eruption would

cover most of the United States!
 What is the
problem?
● We do not know exactly when this supervolcano
will erupt, or any of that matter. We know the one
in Yellowstone is due.
● How would we prepare the United States for this
big of an eruption? How would we stay minimal
for injuries/deaths?
● How can we gain more info on when super
volcanoes will erupt so we can stay prepared?
● “In terms of large explosions, Yellowstone has
experienced three at 2.08, 1.3, and 0.631 million
years ago. This comes out to an average of about
725,000 years between eruptions. That being the
case, there is still about 100,000 years to go, but
this is based on the average of just two numbers,
which is meaningless.”
 ● Though it seems like a hopeless
situation when a supervolcano erupts,
especially when it is estimated billions
of people will die, it will not be the end
of humanity.
● It will not be fun for those who survive,
but staying prepared and having the
knowledge about volcanoes before and
after will be the leading factor for people
surviving.
● Not only will the eruption be a problem,
that is the short-term problem.
Long-term effects will last years to
decades. (i.e. ash fall, climate changes,
oxygen, etc.)
● But not to worry, Yellowstone is not
expected to erupt in our lifetime, or
many in that matter.

What now? STAY PREPARED

What we can do to stay prepared...
● Before an eruption, it is important to have a safety
plan put in place for you and loved ones, so they are
aware what to do in an emergency situation.
● Most likely during the eruption there will be a
shelter-in-place order, if safe to do so and stay in
your home. If you are not home during an eruption,
seek shelter immediately.
● Wear goggles and a mask if possible during the
eruption, ash can get in your lungs and is not safe to
breath in.
● Listen to government broadcasts following the
disaster before and after the eruption.
● When safe to do so after, check damages, safely
clear ash wearing goggles, masks, long sleeves.
● Seek medical attention if needed, provide aid to
those who need if safe to do so.
● Ensure there is enough food/water in the home for
everyone staying there.
 No need to worry!
With our science and technology advancing as
fast as it is now, there will be more available
precautions for volcano preparedness. Currently
there is no prediction when a supervolcano will
erupt, but that could change in the future. Even
if Yellowstone is not predicted to erupt in our
lifetime, it is always important to stay prepared
and plan for the worst. Technology such as
seismometers will always advance through time,
who knows what will be new to our arsenal in
the future for natural disasters.
Works Cited
Plumer, Brad. “What Would Happen If the Yellowstone Supervolcano Actually Erupted?” Vox, Vox, 5 Sept. 2014,
www.vox.com/2014/9/5/6108169/yellowstone-supervolcano-eruption. 11 April 2021.

Poland, Michael. “No, Yellowstone Isn't Going to Wipe out Humanity.” United States Geological Study, 30 Sept. 2019,
www.usgs.gov/center-news/no-yellowstone-isnt-going-wipe-out-humanity#:~:text=YVO%20gets%20a%20lot%20of,we%20won'
t%20go%20extinct. 30 April 2021.

Unknown. “Disaster Preparedness: Volcanic Eruptions.” Habitat for Humanity, 2020,

www.habitat.org/our-work/disaster-response/disaster-preparedness-homeowners/volcanic-eruptions#:~:text=During%20a%20volc
anic%20eruption&text=Avoid%20areas%20downwind%20and%20river,low%2Dlying%20areas%20and%20streams. 11 April
2021.

Unknown. “Is Yellowstone Overdue for an Eruption? When Will Yellowstone Erupt?” United States Geological Study,
www.usgs.gov/faqs/yellowstone-overdue-eruption-when-will-yellowstone-erupt?qt-news_science_products=0#. 30 April 2021.

Unknown. “Science & Nature - Supervolcano.” BBC, BBC, 17 Sept. 2014,

www.bbc.co.uk/sn/tvradio/programmes/supervolcano/article.shtml. 25 April 2021.

Wikipedia Contributors. “Supervolcano.” Wikipedia, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 23 Apr. 2021,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supervolcano. 30 April 2021.
Works Cited Continued (Images)
Hall, Shannon. “A Surprise From the Supervolcano Under Yellowstone.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 10 Oct. 2017,
www.nytimes.com/2017/10/10/science/yellowstone-volcano-eruption.html. 11 April 2021

K, Maggie. “Volcano Safety Tips - Quickseries Publishing.” QuickSeries, 19 June 2018, www.quickseries.com/quickblog/vital-volcano-safety/. 11 April 2021.

Kettley, Sebastian. “Yellowstone Volcano: Will next Eruption Wipe out Humanity? USGS Expects 'Extreme' Effects.” Express.co.uk, Express.co.uk, 30 Sept. 2019,
www.express.co.uk/news/science/1184624/Yellowstone-volcano-eruption-wipe-out-humanity- USGS-Yellowstone-news. 11 April 2021.

KobeAshleyBautista. “Volcanic Eruption Preparedness Infographic.” Reddit, Feb. 2021, www.reddit.com/r/geology/comments/l5wpyt/volcanic_eruption_preparedness_infographic/.

20 April 2021.

Martin-Jones, Erin. “Geologists Find Evidence of Two New Supervolcano Eruptions at Yellowstone.” Massive Science, 5 July 2020,
massivesci.com/notes/yellowstone-supervolcano-geology-eruption/. 11 April 2021.

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2017. Volcanic Eruptions and Their Repose, Unrest, Precursors, and Timing. Washington, DC: The National Academies
Press, www.nap.edu/read/24650/chapter/4. 11 April 2021.

Ray, Kalyan. “Did Humans in India Survive a Super-Volcano Eruption 74,000 Years Ago?” Deccan Herald, DH News Service, 27 Feb. 2020,
www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/did-humans-in-india-survive-a-super-volcano-eruption-74000- years-ago-808319.html. 11 April 2021.

Redfern, Simon. “How Earth's Devastating Supervolcanoes Erupt.” The Conversation, 13 Jan. 2014, theconversation.com/how-earths-devastating-supervolcanoes-erupt-21943. 11
April 2021.

Unknown. “Prepare for Eruptions.” Global Volcano Model, globalvolcanomodel.org/volfilm/prepare-for-eruptions/. 20 April 2021.

Unknown. “Volcano Hazards Program: Volcanic Alert-Levels Characterize Conditions at U.S. Volcanoes.” United States Geological Survey,
www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/volcano-hazards/about-alert-levels. 11 April 2021.

Unknown. “Volcanologist.” American Geosciences Institute, 6 Dec. 2018, www.americangeosciences.org/education/k5geosource/ careers/volcanologist. 22 April 2021.