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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
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
How recently discovered giant magma 'cap' helps prevent eruption at Yellowstone National Park
MAMMOTH SPRINGS, Wyo. – Scientists found that a "cap" made of a supercritical fluid and magma stands between the magma reservoir underneath Yellowstone National Park and a volcanic eruption. In a recent article published in Nature, researchers were able to make this determination when they pinpointed the depth of the top of the reservoir for the first time, according to lead author Chenglong Duan. Duan and his team found the depth where the reservoir began by using a 53,000-pound vibroseis truck, a vehicle usually used for oil and gas exploration, to send seismic waves into the ground in Yellowstone. They then used more than 600 seismometers to record the signals from the truck. Based on the seismic readings, the research team determined that the reservoir began at just over 2 miles beneath the surface. Yellowstone National Park Gears Up For Summer Season "The motivation behind my research is to advance structural seismic imaging beyond the limits of conventional travel-time methods," said Duan, a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences at Rice University. "Using a wave-equation imaging technique I developed during my Ph.D. for irregular seismic data, we made one of the first super clear images of the top of the magma reservoir beneath Yellowstone caldera." That image is featured below, with the magma reservoir cap noted with a black arrow. The research team also noticed something curious about the top of the reservoir. "Seeing such a strong reflector at that depth was a surprise," said co-author and Rice University Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences professor Brandon Schmandt. "It tells us that something physically distinct is happening there — likely a buildup of partially molten rock interspersed with gas bubbles." More accurately called "supercritical fluid" for their unique state in the magma chamber, Schmandt noted that those bubbles formed when volatiles, or small fractions of elements like hydrogen, carbon and sulfur, in the magma are released in the upper areas of the chamber. He likened the phenomenon to a soda can, which has bubbles that are dissolved in the liquid. When the can is opened, the bubbles come out of the liquid and rise to the top of the can. But also like the bubbles in a pressurized soda can, the bubbles dissolved in the magma underneath Yellowstone have the potential to build up and lead to a volcanic eruption. How To Watch Fox Weather However, researchers found that, in addition to the bubbles rising to the top of the magma chamber, the peculiar geology in the national park is preventing that from occurring. Schmandt noted that the park's systems of hydrothermal features provide passageways for the bubbles to escape the magma chamber and reduce the amount of pressure in the chamber. "Yellowstone's magma reservoir is a lively system that is not very far from the surface, just about 2 miles deep, and bubbles are rising through it," he said. "It's remarkable that we can get detailed information about the subsurface without directly breaking ground, and that technology is important for studying natural hazards and resources."Original article source: How recently discovered giant magma 'cap' helps prevent eruption at Yellowstone National Park
