H/W Due: Friday 14th February 2020

Super Volcano Research

1. What is a supervolcano?
A supervolcano is a large volcano having the potential to
produce an eruption with major effects on the global climate
and ecosystem.
2. What is a caldera?
A caldera is a large volcanic crater, especially one formed by a
major eruption leading to the collapse of the mouth of the
volcano.
3. Where exactly is the Yellowstone Caldera?
The Yellowstone Caldera is located in the National Park in the
Western United States.
4. How big is the Yellowstone Caldera, in miles?
The Yellowstone Caldera is approximately 30 by 45 miles.
5. How many times has Yellowstone erupted? When were
these eruptions?
The Yellowstone has erupted 3 times.
6. How often does Yellowstone erupt?
Yellowstone erupts every 725,000 years.
7. What are the chances of a major volcanic eruption at
Yellowstone?
The chances of a major eruption at Yellowstone are 1 in 730,000
in any given year.
 8. What are some (at least 3) of the predicted effects of an
eruption of Yellowstone in the USA?
The effects of an eruption of Yellowstone in the USA would
be it could spew ash for thousands of miles across the United
States, damaging buildings, smothering crops, and shutting
down power plants.
9. Why would an eruption of Yellowstone make the global
climate colder?
If Yellowstone erupted, the global climate would be colder
because volcanoes can inject sulphur gas into the upper
atmosphere, forming sulphuric acid aerosols that rapidly spread
around the globe. Scientists believe sulphuric aerosols are the
main cause of climatic cooling after an eruption.
10. A colder climate could cause people to die. Why?
If the climate is colder, people would die because it is really cold
because of the volcano and the weather being even colder could
cause a chaos in people’s lives.
11. How do we know that a Yellowstone eruption would not
wipe out life on Earth?
We know that Yellowstone would not wipe out life on Earth
because the last time it erupted, life survived, and if it erupts
again, it won’t be as severe as the other eruption.