As the land plunges below our feet and it seems that natural disasters with increasing frequency appear, one question persists in the back of many of the minds: What if a supervolcano burst?
The idea may seem like something directly from Doomsday, but reality is much worrying. Supernovas are not just fictional disasters – they exist and one of the most famous examples is to sit directly below our noses in the Yellowstone National Park.
While the chances that it will explode are low, the consequences of such an event would be nothing but catastrophic. So what would really happen if a supervolcano like Yellowstone decided to blow away?
The answer can be more scary – and more complicated – before we think. Let’s dive into the potential consequences of Superchanno eruption and what we could expect in the future.
At the end of the season 1, Missy’s dream was the eruption of the replica of Yellowstone Calder. Although it could only be a dream on the show, Yellowstone really sits on top of a real Superchalcane, and although it could explode at any time, there would probably be clear warning signals before it happens.
According to a journalist who turned scientist Robin George Andrews, Supersolcanoes are as Olympic gold medalists, not staying forever in top performance. But when they explode, the result can be devastating, extended and unstoppable.
Inverse spoke to Andrews about what would happen if Supersolcano broke out in 2121 and his answer was edited and densified:
“If the volcano is ready to explode, it will do it.” If Yellowstone decided to release superstrupers, most of the damage would be concentrated in the United States. The park would be basically destroyed and a huge amount of ash would cover North America. This would create widespread agricultural problems, as well as ashes that could clog cars, eliminate energy networks and pollute water sources.
There are also unexpected consequences. For example, even a slight eruption that covers the city with ashes could completely block its sewer systems for up to two years, causing the toilets to stop working. It would be similar to a terrible, smelling situation from the redemption of Shawshank – feverish and unbearable.
Fallout ash would primarily affect the surrounding continent, potentially covering areas with meters of ashes, which would cause significant challenges. We would have to rely on modern technology to push the ashes into the sea, but no one has ever dealt with Ash on this scale.
Supereruptions often occur for a longer period, and scientists indicate that the first Yellowstone super -supererups have occurred in three separate stages, spread out for several years. This means that after initial eruption, it would not be safe for people to simply return to the area.
These eruptions would also have a cooling effect on the planet. Volcanic eruptions create a large amount of sulfur dioxide that combines with moisture in the stratosphere. Together with sunlight, it is aerosols that are very effective in reflecting sunlight from the ground.
The worst scenario may be a global economic collapse, such as the great depression, because if it happened in North America, the economy would completely collapse and send shock waves around the world.
In Italy there is also a massive volcano called Campi Flegrei. Although it is not technically supersolcano, it is still a caldera, and if it broke out, the impact would be felt across several European countries. The resulting chaos could assess the global dynamics of strength and influence literature, films and fiction for the coming years.
Although these eruptions would be catastrophic on a regional scale, they would not necessarily end civilization or the world. For example, 74,000 years ago, the Indonesian volcano Toba exploded with unimaginable force, but it seemed that it did not have a big impact on civilizations far from the region. ”
In conclusion, while the eruption of supercholcan, such as Yellowstone, would undoubtedly cause catastrophic damage on a regional scale, it does not necessarily mean the end of civilization or the planet. The consequences would bring significant challenges – cooling, economic unrest, and widespread destruction.
However, the country has experienced such eruptions earlier, and although the effects may be serious, they are not apocalyptic in the most amazing sense. Global consequences would be deep, yet humanity faced great disasters throughout history and found ways to adapt.
Nevertheless, the prospect of Superchanno’s eruption serves as a strong reminder of the unpredictable nature of the planet and the potential of the change it holds in the future.