The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #163647   Message #3907007
Posted By: Iains
21-Feb-18 - 02:35 PM
Thread Name: BS: Yellowstone - new theory
Subject: RE: BS: Yellowstone - new theory
"There have been quite a few supereruptions in the past couple million years, and we're still around."
Would not want to be too close if it did blow though. There seems to be a little uncertainty as to what would be involved. The most recent eruptions were lava flows, whereas many of the graphics show ash deposits. Latest studies suggest The past 20 eruptions at Yellowstone have been lava flows with no significant amounts of ash fall outside of Yellowstone. The past 60-80 eruptions would have had little regional (or continental) impact.
Other studies suggest a far greater impact with a potential cost of up to 20%GDP and no estimate as to casualties.
The short answer is nobody really knows.