There are about 1,900 active volcanoes on our planet, but not all pose a significant threat. Some volcanoes have been dormant for thousands of years, showing no signs of waking up. However, others—called supervolcanoes—are capable of wiping out entire continents and destroying billions of living organisms. One of the most dangerous of these is the Yellowstone Volcano, which ranks among the top five most dangerous volcanoes on Earth.
The volcano is located in North America (Wyoming), within Yellowstone National Park, which was established in 1872 and spans an area of 8,991 square kilometers. The park features mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, geysers, canyons, and waterfalls, and one-third of it is occupied by the volcano. The area is home to various species of animals and birds, including bison, wolves, bears, chipmunks, and elk. Thousands of tourists visit this picturesque and unique spot every year, though access is restricted during periods of high geyser activity.
The name “Yellowstone” (meaning “yellow stone”) refers to a massive caldera, a depression formed by the last eruption. This caldera is slowly filling with molten magma rising from 8 kilometers below the Earth’s surface, preparing for a future eruption. The caldera measures 55 km by 72 km, about twice the size of New York. The volcano’s height is 2,805 meters, its diameter is 50 km, and its area covers 352 km². It sits above a “hot spot,” a massive mass of molten mantle rock slowly drifting northeast.
Last Eruptions and Current Concerns
The last three eruptions of the Yellowstone Volcano occurred every 600,000–800,000 years (2 million years ago, 1.2 million years ago, and 600,000 years ago). Since the last eruption was 640,000 years ago, scientists are increasingly concerned that another eruption may be imminent.
Signs of an Impending Eruption
In recent years, new geysers have appeared, and existing ones have become more active, with scientists unable to explain the cause. The ground has risen by several centimeters, cracks have formed, and carbon dioxide emissions from the caldera have increased. Since 2017, more than 2,500 earthquakes have been recorded in the area. The amount of magma in the caldera has grown to nearly 17 million cubic meters (30 times the volume of the Black Sea).
These signs indicate the movement of magma and gases upward. While this is a slow process that may take decades, scientists cannot predict exactly when “Day X” will occur. Adding to the concerns, animals such as elk and bison have begun leaving the park, possibly sensing an impending disaster. Additionally, the number of rangers and specialists in the park has increased.
Eruption Consequences
Experts rank volcanic eruptions as the most destructive natural disaster, surpassing tsunamis, asteroids, earthquakes, landslides, and floods. Should Yellowstone erupt, the consequences would be catastrophic for the entire planet.
Scientists have made grim predictions, while some people compare the projected effects to apocalyptic scenarios:
- Around 1,000 cubic kilometers of ash would be released into the atmosphere.
- The land within a 500–1,600 km radius would be covered in thick ash.
- Approximately 90,000 people would die immediately.
- One in three people would die within the first few months.
- The U.S. would be completely destroyed by lava flows, or at least 2/3 of the country would be uninhabitable.
- The eruption would trigger tsunamis, earthquakes, and potentially activate other dormant volcanoes worldwide.
- Global temperatures would drop by 20°C.
- A “nuclear winter” would ensue, as smoke, ash, and steam would block the sun for several years.
- Crop failures due to lack of sunlight would cause famine, leading to the deaths of 3 to 5 billion people from hunger.
- Most animal and plant species would become extinct due to climate change.
- Oxygen levels would drop, and acid rain would follow.
- An ozone hole would form, dramatically increasing radiation levels.
The estimated date for the eruption is around 2075, though some scientists warn that it could happen within the next 10 years. Siberia and European Russia would be the least affected by the disaster.
Can the Eruption Be Prevented?
While the eruption cannot be stopped, NASA is developing programs to delay it. One proposal suggests drilling several 10-kilometer-deep boreholes around the volcano and filling them with water to cool the magma and prevent its eruption. The heated water could also be used as a source of electricity. The project’s budget is estimated at $3.5 billion.
However, some experts believe that even minor interference could worsen the situation. Reports and studies remain classified, and the American public suspects that official data—such as the number of earthquakes and the seismic hazard level—are being significantly downplayed.
For now, ongoing monitoring efforts include sampling rocks to study their chemical composition and installing various sensors and gauges. The only certainty is that the volcano could erupt at any time without any external triggers. All that can be done is wait and hope that the catastrophe does not happen soon, and that the U.S. government, in collaboration with scientists, can find a way to prevent severe destruction.