Ramble On by Ken Herrera Created on March 1, 1872, President Ulysses Grant signed S.392 into law, creating the first national park- Yellowstone.
Home to a large variety of elk, bear, wolves and other wild game, along with half of the worlds geysers including Old Faithful in Wyoming, the beauty of this national park is indeed a sight to behold. Is there however, a hidden danger that lurks beneath this majestic wonder of the world? According to scientists, the Yellowstone super volcano has had three major eruptions with the first being 2.1 million years ago. The second occurred 1.3 million years ago, and the third and last major eruption was 640,000 years ago that created the current caldera. What would happen if Yellowstone were to erupt in the future? If the eruption follows its predecessors, then the lava flow wouldn’t travel beyond the parks boundaries, according to the USGS. The problem would be the ash released by the blast. The fallout would include short-term destruction of Midwest agriculture. Rivers and streams would be clogged with thick gray muck measuring nearly 40” in depth 321 miles away in Salt Lake City, Utah with the ashfall extending to the east coast. Parts of Texas could receive as much as 1.811 inches of ash! If you’re wondering if there is any evidence that Yellowstone will erupt soon, the answer is no. Yellowstone is behaving as it has for the past 140 years. Odds are very high that Yellowstone will be eruption-free for the coming centuries. So, go ahead and plan your summer vacation. Take the scenic route to the mountains of Wyoming and breathe in the fresh air and partake in the beauty of Yellowstone National Park but don’t try to pet any buffalo! |
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