Yellowstone volcano activity is being feared by many since the 4.8 magnitude earthquake struck Yellowstone National Park on Sunday which was also followed by several aftershocks.
The earthquake that was felt around 2:24 in the morning of Sunday was recorded to be in a 4.8 magnitude which was said to be the biggest quake felt after 34 years. The tremor struck the northwest portion of the park but prior to the big quake, smaller quakes have been felt since Thursday. After the earthquake was felt in said region, Yellowstone volcano activity is being monitored because of many fears that the volcano might erupt.
The Yellowstone National Park actually sits atop one of the world's largest super-volcanos which is known as the Yellowstone Caldera or also referred to as the Yellowstone Super volcano. As queries and amount of fear continue to rise, speculations regarding the Yellowstone volcano activity also arise. Those speculations also resulted in many individuals being anxious because of the fearful tendency of the volcano to erupt.
However, reports said that the scientists can definitely predict the Yellowstone volcano activity especially its possible eruption. The Yellowstone volcano had its last major eruption around 640, 000 years ago which covered North America entirely with ash.
Despite of the 4.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Yellowstone National Park on Sunday, the United States Geological Service's Yellowstone Observatory has previously made a statement that the earthquakes felt in the region are normal because around 1,000 to 3,000 quakes typically occur every year. Magnitudes for said earthquake activity ranges from 3 to 5.
Although the volcano has not been active for many years, it is said that the more earthquakes occur in the region, the higher the chance Yellowstone volcano activity might be activated. As of the moment, geologists continue to monitor closely the activities in the Yellowstone caldera particularly the rise of the Yellowstone plateau. The rise is actually an indication that there is an increase of pressure in the magma chamber.
"Our best evidence is that the crustal magma chamber is filling with molten rock. But we have no idea how long this process goes on before either there is an eruption or the inflow of molten rock stops and the caldera deflates again." Seismologist Robert B. Smith said.
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