For generations, mankind has faced all kinds of threats. In past and present we have dealt with perils, diseases and recessions. Currently, there are rumors of a world war brewing. There is another threat we face, a very serious and troublesome threat that humanity might be unable to avoid or divert. All we would be able to do is brace ourselves and hope for the best. What if one day we woke up and had to prepare for a volcanic eruption? Not just an eruption, but a super volcanic eruption. There is a super volcano here in the U.S. and is alive and well that lies beneath Yellowstone National Park. This super volcano has the capacity of sending our nation back to the stone age and there is not much we can do about it, except hope and pray that we never experience the aftermath of a catastrophe of a super volcanic eruption.
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Many times when we think of volcanoes in the U. S. one of the first places that may come to mind is Hawaii. Either by experience or what we have seen on TV, the first thing we imagine when we think of Hawaii is its beautiful scenes and volcanoes. Recently it seems like Yellowstone has been gaining popularity because of the super volcano that lurks beneath. Truth is Yellowstone’s volcano is perhaps the world’s most popular super volcano that dates back to more than 2 million years ago (Ellis and Mark 134). Big networks have begun to give more airtime to this volcano. A good example is on the Discovery Channel. It has been airing special episodes about this super volcano that is under Yellowstone. The reality is that all volcanoes are extremely dangerous, no matter what kind is erupting. Whether a composite cone, cinder cone or a shield volcano the dangers are extremely high. The question to ask is, what would happen though if it were a super volcano that was erupting? The magnitude of its destruction it would cause is unimaginable. The qualifications that a volcano can be considered a super volcano according to John Savino and Marie D. Jones, “it must be large enough to result in a super eruption of the material that is ejected more massive than any volcano in historical record” (46). They also go on to explain that a colossal eruption doesn’t just consist of huge hurricanes of hot gasses, ash, and rocks, which can cover thousands of miles and obliterate all forms of life in its path. These massive volcanic eruptions are judged on the amount of destruction on the potential damage to the environment and our civilization (Savino and Jones 52). Regular volcanoes don’t have a global effect on civilization as the amount of ash that it launches into the air is not as much as a super volcano; it is still a force to be reckoned with. There are many super volcanoes around the world. Some of the volcanoes include: La Garita, Toba, Taupo, Long Valley and of course perhaps the most popular Yellowstone (Ellis and Mark 135.) Thankfully in the last 73,000 years none of these wraths of Mother Nature have had the privilege of gracing us with their presence and erupting and showing us their power (Beall par. 8). The last super volcano to erupt was Toba (Spinney par. 5). There is good news that most of these known super volcanoes are not active but as in all aspects of life when there is good news there always seems to be bad news. In this case, Yellowstone National Park is currently active in a dormant state and ready to wake up (Beall par. 4). Yellowstone National Park is located in the states of Wyoming and extends into Montana and Idaho. Yellow stone has a caldera that is 45 miles in width and according to Greg Breinieg, “when a super volcano erupts it will have global consequences”. Yellowstone is said to be America’s adored and one of the most beautiful landscapes. Many people would agree and is the reason why millions of tourists flock to the park to witness its beauty and amazing features. That why it is hard to believe that this natural beauty is really an ugly beast ready to show its true colors. An example of the fury that this beast is capable of is recently a man from
Many times when we think of volcanoes in the U. S. one of the first places that may come to mind is Hawaii. Either by experience or what we have seen on TV, the first thing we imagine when we think of Hawaii is its beautiful scenes and volcanoes. Recently it seems like Yellowstone has been gaining popularity because of the super volcano that lurks beneath. Truth is Yellowstone’s volcano is perhaps the world’s most popular super volcano that dates back to more than 2 million years ago (Ellis and Mark 134). Big networks have begun to give more airtime to this volcano. A good example is on the Discovery Channel. It has been airing special episodes about this super volcano that is under Yellowstone. The reality is that all volcanoes are extremely dangerous, no matter what kind is erupting. Whether a composite cone, cinder cone or a shield volcano the dangers are extremely high. The question to ask is, what would happen though if it were a super volcano that was erupting? The magnitude of its destruction it would cause is unimaginable. The qualifications that a volcano can be considered a super volcano according to John Savino and Marie D. Jones, “it must be large enough to result in a super eruption of the material that is ejected more massive than any volcano in historical record” (46). They also go on to explain that a colossal eruption doesn’t just consist of huge hurricanes of hot gasses, ash, and rocks, which can cover thousands of miles and obliterate all forms of life in its path. These massive volcanic eruptions are judged on the amount of destruction on the potential damage to the environment and our civilization (Savino and Jones 52). Regular volcanoes don’t have a global effect on civilization as the amount of ash that it launches into the air is not as much as a super volcano; it is still a force to be reckoned with. There are many super volcanoes around the world. Some of the volcanoes include: La Garita, Toba, Taupo, Long Valley and of course perhaps the most popular Yellowstone (Ellis and Mark 135.) Thankfully in the last 73,000 years none of these wraths of Mother Nature have had the privilege of gracing us with their presence and erupting and showing us their power (Beall par. 8). The last super volcano to erupt was Toba (Spinney par. 5). There is good news that most of these known super volcanoes are not active but as in all aspects of life when there is good news there always seems to be bad news. In this case, Yellowstone National Park is currently active in a dormant state and ready to wake up (Beall par. 4). Yellowstone National Park is located in the states of Wyoming and extends into Montana and Idaho. Yellow stone has a caldera that is 45 miles in width and according to Greg Breinieg, “when a super volcano erupts it will have global consequences”. Yellowstone is said to be America’s adored and one of the most beautiful landscapes. Many people would agree and is the reason why millions of tourists flock to the park to witness its beauty and amazing features. That why it is hard to believe that this natural beauty is really an ugly beast ready to show its true colors. An example of the fury that this beast is capable of is recently a man from