Recent research conducted beneath the Yellowstone Supervolcano reveals fascinating insights into the magma reservoirs that lie deep underground. These reservoirs, which are filled with volatile magma, may be contributing to a shift in volcanic activity towards the northeastern areas of the caldera. A team of scientists from the US Geological Survey and Oregon State University has been investigating the electromagnetic fields in this region. Their findings indicate the presence of at least seven significant magma reservoirs, which vary in depth from 4 to 47 kilometers, located near the crucial boundary between the Earth’s crust and mantle. Some of these reservoirs appear to be interconnected, suggesting a complex underground network of magma flow.
Interestingly, the study also points to a decrease in volcanic activity in the western sections of Yellowstone. Here, scientists have identified magma chambers that contain low melt fractions, making them less prone to eruption. Conversely, a noteworthy discovery has been made beneath the northeastern part of the caldera, where researchers found a large reservoir of rhyolitic magma—this type of magma is associated with explosive eruptions. The rhyolitic reservoir is being replenished with heat and materials from basaltic magma rising from the lower crust, leading to an impressive volume of approximately 440 cubic kilometers of magma stored beneath the surface.
The research suggests that the potential for future explosive rhyolitic eruptions has shifted towards the northeast Yellowstone Caldera. However, it’s crucial to emphasize that these findings do not imply an urgent eruption is on the horizon. Volcanic activity unfolds over geological timescales, which are far longer than human lifetimes. Over the past 2.1 million years, Yellowstone has experienced three significant explosive eruptions, with an average occurrence interval of about 725,000 years. The last major eruption was around 631,000 years ago, indicating that another eruption is not necessarily imminent.
Given the unpredictability of volcanic behavior, it is always wise to approach such findings with caution. The detailed study discussing these intriguing results has been published in the renowned journal Nature.
