Latest news with #BrandonSchmandt
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
UNM researchers make new discovery about Yellowstone National Park supervolcano
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – It's one of the world's largest supervolcanoes, and recent work out of the University of New Mexico led to a breakthrough discovery that could help geoscientists better predict an eruption and save lives. 'So it's very satisfying to see that come to fruition,' said Tobias Fischer, Distinguished Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at UNM. Story continues below Crime: Albuquerque business owner faces murder charge for shooting fleeing shoplifter News: Las Vegas deputy charged with aggravated battery and robbery Business: A downtown Albuquerque shoe shine parlor is still serving patrons after nearly a century Events: What's happening around New Mexico May 30-June 5? Kirtland Air Fiesta and more Fischer teamed up with a colleague to investigate Yellowstone National Park's volcanic system. 'Professor Brandon Schmandt is really the person who started this project. He's a geophysicist and he wanted to investigate the composition of the magma and where the magma is under Yellowstone, and especially how much volatiles are in the magma right now,' said Fischer. Fischer said Yellowstone's last volcanic eruption was about 70,000 years ago, and there is still an entire system sitting below the park today. 'So the hydrothermal system has all these beautiful geysers and hot springs and mud pots that attract millions of people a year to see the park and see these features,' said Fischer. Last August, KRQE News 13 reported on a 'localized' hydrothermal explosion that happened at the national park. The team's study led them to look at earthquakes they produced themselves with a big thumper truck. 'With that detailed geophysical study, they can make a very nice CT scan essentially of what's under Yellowstone, and they discovered that there is a really gas-rich, volatile-rich cap on top of the magma chamber,' said Fischer. Fischer said that when volcanoes erupt, they are driven by new magma coming into the system. They use samples from Yellowstone on a machine in one of UNM's labs to learn more. 'As magma rises towards the surface, gases like water and CO2 exalt from that magma at shallower levels,' said Fischer. Those gases migrate up to the surface and then eventually accumulate at some depth. The group found exactly where that accumulation happens, allowing them a better picture at what's taking place right under our feet. 'So it's a very detailed image of the quantity of water, the quantities of pores, the quantities of magma, and where exactly it sits under Yellowstone and how big it is,' said Fischer. Fischer said the Yellowstone system is similar to the Valles Caldera in New Mexico. Although Valles Caldera is smaller, it's a super volcano that produced large eruptions roughly a million years ago. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
02-05-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
Researchers discover ‘lid' keeping Yellowstone's super volcano from erupting
It's no secret that a super volcano lies miles beneath the surface of Yellowstone National Park, but all this time researchers knew little beyond that — until now. A team of researchers recently made a breakthrough discovery that sheds light on the forces shaping the volcanic system and what might keep it from erupting in our lifetime, experts said in a Rice University news release April 16. The team, consisting of researchers from Rice, the University of New Mexico, the University of Utah and the University of Texas at Dallas, 'discovered a sharp, volatile-rich cap' made of magma about 2.5 miles under Yellowstone's surface that 'acts like a lid,' trapping pressure and heat that it releases gradually, preventing the system from erupting. The team's findings were recently published in the scientific journal Nature. Yellowstone hasn't had a significant eruption for about 70,000 years, when lava flows formed the Pitchstone Plateau in the southwestern portion of the park, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. 'For decades, we've known there's magma beneath Yellowstone, but the exact depth and structure of its upper boundary has been a big question,' said Brandon Schmandt, professor of Earth, environmental and planetary sciences at Rice and one of the lead researchers on the project. 'What we've found is that this reservoir hasn't shut down — it's been sitting there for a couple million years, but it's still dynamic.' Previous studies suggested the top of the system could be anywhere from 2 to 5 miles under the earth's surface, but the uncertainty kept scientists in the dark about how the 'mighty' magma system might act in the future, experts said. The team's research sheds light on the system's past and now future behavior. The team 'conducted a high-resolution seismic survey in the northeastern part of the caldera' using a '53,000-pound vibroseis truck — typically used for oil and gas exploration' to generate tiny earthquakes that sent seismic waves into the ground, the release said. The waves reflected 'off subsurface layers,' revealing the cap 2.5 miles down. 'Seeing such a strong reflector at that depth was a surprise,' Schmandt said in the release. 'It tells us that something physically distinct is happening there — likely a buildup of partially molten rock interspersed with gas bubbles.' The team measured the bubble and melt contents and determined they were lower than levels usually associated with an imminent eruption, he said. 'Instead, it looks like the system is efficiently venting gas through cracks and channels between mineral crystals, which makes sense to me given Yellowstone's abundant hydrothermal features emitting magmatic gases,' he said, likening the system to ''steady breathing' with bubbles rising and releasing through the porous rock — a natural pressure-release valve that lowers eruption risk.' Still, eruptions can and do happen. Last summer, a geyser in Yellowstone erupted in a hydrothermal explosion right next to tourists on a boardwalk, McClatchy News reported. The boardwalk was destroyed, but no injuries were reported. Before that, in January 2024, a long-dormant geyser erupted for the first time in decades, McClatchy News reported. 'Being able to image what's happening underground is important for everything from geothermal energy to storing carbon dioxide,' Schmandt said. 'This work shows that with creativity and perseverance, we can see through complicated data and reveal what's happening beneath our feet.'
Scottish Sun
01-05-2025
- Science
- Scottish Sun
Hidden lid that stops Yellowstone Supervolcano from erupting found as scientists reveal exact chance of doomsday event
Historically Yellowstone has erupted every about 600,000 years or so, but it has been stagnant for 630,000 years - meaning it is 30,000 years overdue BURST YOUR BUBBLE Hidden lid that stops Yellowstone Supervolcano from erupting found as scientists reveal exact chance of doomsday event Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCIENTISTS have discovered a hidden lid that keeps the vast reservoir of magma beneath the Yellowstone supervolcano at bay. For years scientists have suspected that a mysterious chamber beneath the northeastern part of the Yellowstone caldera may hold molten rock. 3 Scientists say they have found a hidden magma cap atop the reservoir in the northeastern (3rd) caldera that helps stop the supervolcano from erupting Credit: National Park Service 3 Historically Yellowstone has erupted every about 600,000 years or so Credit: Getty - Contributor How deep the reservoir lies, or just how much magma it holds is still up for debate. But scientists say they have found a hidden magma cap atop this reservoir that helps stop the supervolcano from erupting. There have long been questions over when Yellowstone's expansive volcanic system could see an eruption. Historically Yellowstone has erupted every about 600,000 years or so, but it has been stagnant for 630,000 years - meaning it is 30,000 years overdue. But this cap - which stretches between 3.5 and 4 km (2.2 and 2.5 miles) below the Earth's surface - allows the volcano to 'breathe', according to scientists. They say new models show the cap to be regularly releasing small belches of gas that keep internal pressures stable and hold off an eruption. Based on the timing of previous explosions, scientists at the United States Geological Survey predict the risk of a Yellowstone super-eruption is about 0.00014% each year. If enough air was restricted in the supervolcano's 'throat', scientists believe a catastrophic explosion could follow. "For decades, we've known there's magma beneath Yellowstone, but the exact depth and structure of its upper boundary has been a big question," Earth scientist Brandon Schmandt from Rice University explained. "What we've found is that this reservoir hasn't shut down - it's been sitting there for a couple million years, but it's still dynamic." Yellowstone Eruption Sends Tourists Running for Cover Using a new technique developed by Schmandt's co-lead author Chenglong Duan, scientists sent vibrations into the ground to create a model of layers in Earth's crust. Duan says the technique has provided the "first super clear images of the top of the magma reservoir beneath Yellowstone caldera." The vibrations - seismic waves - flowed through the rock but began moving slowly, suggesting they were penetrating a muddy mixture of supercritical fluid and magma. This was located between 3km and 8km deep. 'Seeing such a strong reflector at that depth was a surprise,' added Schmandt. 'It tells us that something physically distinct is happening there — likely a buildup of partially molten rock interspersed with gas bubbles.' But atop this reservoir is a "sharply defined top" - the cap. It is considered a 'self-sealed' lid because it is only slightly porous - meaning it can let out trace amounts of gases to release any pressure build up. Beneath the lid there appears to be supercritical water, which is heated and pressurised to a point where the line between liquid and gas blur. This process could result in an eruption, if not for the gradual cooling and crystallisation of the sludgy material in the upper crust which creates a minimally leaky magma cap. It looks like the system is venting gas - which is good news. 'Although we detected a volatile-rich layer, its bubble and melt contents are below the levels typically associated with imminent eruption,' Schmandt said. 'Instead, it looks like the system is efficiently venting gas through cracks and channels between mineral crystals, which makes sense to me given Yellowstone's abundant hydrothermal features emitting magmatic gases.'
The Sun
01-05-2025
- Science
- The Sun
Hidden lid that stops Yellowstone Supervolcano from erupting found as scientists reveal exact chance of doomsday event
SCIENTISTS have discovered a hidden lid that keeps the vast reservoir of magma beneath the Yellowstone supervolcano at bay. For years scientists have suspected that a mysterious chamber beneath the northeastern part of the Yellowstone caldera may hold molten rock. 3 How deep the reservoir lies, or just how much magma it holds is still up for debate. But scientists say they have found a hidden magma cap atop this reservoir that helps stop the supervolcano from erupting. There have long been questions over when Yellowstone's expansive volcanic system could see an eruption. Historically Yellowstone has erupted every about 600,000 years or so, but it has been stagnant for 630,000 years - meaning it is 30,000 years overdue. But this cap - which stretches between 3.5 and 4 km (2.2 and 2.5 miles) below the Earth's surface - allows the volcano to 'breathe', according to scientists. They say new models show the cap to be regularly releasing small belches of gas that keep internal pressures stable and hold off an eruption. Based on the timing of previous explosions, scientists at the United States Geological Survey predict the risk of a Yellowstone super-eruption is about 0.00014% each year. If enough air was restricted in the supervolcano's 'throat', scientists believe a catastrophic explosion could follow. "For decades, we've known there's magma beneath Yellowstone, but the exact depth and structure of its upper boundary has been a big question," Earth scientist Brandon Schmandt from Rice University explained. "What we've found is that this reservoir hasn't shut down - it's been sitting there for a couple million years, but it's still dynamic." Yellowstone Eruption Sends Tourists Running for Cover Using a new technique developed by Schmandt's co-lead author Chenglong Duan, scientists sent vibrations into the ground to create a model of layers in Earth's crust. Duan says the technique has provided the "first super clear images of the top of the magma reservoir beneath Yellowstone caldera." The vibrations - seismic waves - flowed through the rock but began moving slowly, suggesting they were penetrating a muddy mixture of supercritical fluid and magma. This was located between 3km and 8km deep. 'Seeing such a strong reflector at that depth was a surprise,' added Schmandt. 'It tells us that something physically distinct is happening there — likely a buildup of partially molten rock interspersed with gas bubbles.' But atop this reservoir is a "sharply defined top" - the cap. It is considered a 'self-sealed' lid because it is only slightly porous - meaning it can let out trace amounts of gases to release any pressure build up. Beneath the lid there appears to be supercritical water, which is heated and pressurised to a point where the line between liquid and gas blur. This process could result in an eruption, if not for the gradual cooling and crystallisation of the sludgy material in the upper crust which creates a minimally leaky magma cap. It looks like the system is venting gas - which is good news. 'Although we detected a volatile-rich layer, its bubble and melt contents are below the levels typically associated with imminent eruption,' Schmandt said. 'Instead, it looks like the system is efficiently venting gas through cracks and channels between mineral crystals, which makes sense to me given Yellowstone's abundant hydrothermal features emitting magmatic gases.'
The Irish Sun
01-05-2025
- Science
- The Irish Sun
Hidden lid that stops Yellowstone Supervolcano from erupting found as scientists reveal exact chance of doomsday event
SCIENTISTS have discovered a hidden lid that keeps the vast reservoir of magma beneath the Yellowstone supervolcano at bay. For years scientists have suspected that a mysterious chamber beneath the northeastern part of the Yellowstone caldera may hold molten rock. Advertisement 3 Scientists say they have found a hidden magma cap atop the reservoir in the northeastern (3rd) caldera that helps stop the supervolcano from erupting Credit: National Park Service 3 Historically Yellowstone has erupted every about 600,000 years or so Credit: Getty - Contributor How deep the reservoir lies, or just how much magma it holds is still up for debate. But scientists say they have found a hidden magma cap atop this reservoir that helps stop the supervolcano from erupting. There have long been questions over when Yellowstone's expansive volcanic system could see an eruption. Historically Yellowstone has erupted every about 600,000 years or so, but it has been stagnant for 630,000 years - meaning it is 30,000 years overdue. Advertisement READ MORE ON VOLCANOES But this cap - which stretches between 3.5 and 4 km (2.2 and 2.5 miles) below the Earth's surface - allows the volcano to 'breathe', according to scientists. They say new models show the cap to be regularly releasing small belches of gas that keep internal pressures stable and hold off an eruption. Based on the timing of previous explosions , s cientists at the United States Geological Survey predict the risk of a Yellowstone super-eruption is about 0.00014% each year. If enough air was restricted in the supervolcano's 'throat', scientists believe a catastrophic explosion could follow. Advertisement Most read in Science "For decades, we've known there's magma beneath Yellowstone, but the exact depth and structure of its upper boundary has been a big question," Earth scientist Brandon Schmandt from Rice University explained. " What we've found is that this reservoir hasn't shut down - it's been sitting there for a couple million years, but it's still dynamic. " Yellowstone Eruption Sends Tourists Running for Cover Using a new technique developed by Schmandt's co-lead author Chenglong Duan, scientists sent vibrations into the ground to create a model of layers in Earth's crust. Duan says the technique has provided the "first super clear images of the top of the magma reservoir beneath Yellowstone caldera." Advertisement The vibrations - seismic waves - flowed through the rock but began moving slowly, suggesting they were penetrating a muddy mixture of supercritical fluid and magma. This was located between 3km and 8km deep. 'Seeing such a strong reflector at that depth was a surprise,' added Schmandt. 'It tells us that something physically distinct is happening there — likely a buildup of partially molten rock interspersed with gas bubbles.' Advertisement But atop this reservoir is a "sharply defined top" - the cap. It is considered a 'self-sealed' lid because it is only slightly porous - meaning it can let out trace amounts of gases to release any pressure build up. Beneath the lid there appears to be supercritical water, which is heated and pressurised to a point where the line between liquid and gas blur. This process could result in an eruption, if not for the gradual cooling and crystallisation of the sludgy material in the upper crust which creates a minimally leaky magma cap. Advertisement It looks like the system is venting gas - which is good news. 'Although we detected a volatile-rich layer, its bubble and melt contents are below the levels typically associated with imminent eruption,' Schmandt said. 'Instead, it looks like the system is efficiently venting gas through cracks and channels between mineral crystals, which makes sense to me given Yellowstone's abundant hydrothermal features emitting magmatic gases.' 3 Brandon Schmandt (left) and Chenglong Duan (right) Credit: Linda Fries / Rice University Advertisement
