See image description and photo credits on “NewsBreak” story posted below

 

On My Mind Today:

Having been born, grown, educated, worked and raised a family in Wyoming and living a good part of my life near Yellowstone National Park, it became a geographical favorite of my family and me, mostly including my father who was a life-long game warden and western artist. But we, back in those days had no clue about the potential dangers of the Yellowstone Caldera other than that it was, in my mistaken mind at least, an “extinct” volcano. Of course today I stand corrected.

But as I learned of the Yellowstone geology as time went by I realized it was similar to something akin to the nuclear world in terms of potential devastation and even extinction of most life in the United States and possibly around the world.

That knowledge and my “love” for Yellowstone is the reason I included it as a category in this daily blog and that one day it might become a world-wide source of energy for humanity, but also perhaps a dangerous generally unknown world-wide threat of mass destruction that, like nuclear weapons, could potentially destroy all life on planet Earth.

This article was so well done and inclusive of what the Yellowstone volcano is all about that once I had read it, I had to post it here. ~llaw

Today’s Featured Story:

 

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Climate Cosmos

 

Eruption History: A Tale of Three Explosive Events (image credits: wikimedia)

The Supervolcano That Could Kill the Entire Humanity

By Henrieke Otte M.Sc.,

1 days ago

Location: A Hidden Giant Beneath Yellowstone

Nestled beneath the serene beauty of Yellowstone National Park lies a hidden giant: the Yellowstone Supervolcano. This colossal volcanic system spans parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho in the United States. Beneath the lush forests and bubbling geysers, a massive chamber of molten magma sits, waiting quietly. This location makes it a unique geological hotspot, drawing visitors from around the globe who are unaware of the sleeping giant beneath their feet. The park itself is a stunning natural wonder, but the supervolcano adds an element of mystery and potential danger that fascinates scientists and tourists alike. Understanding its location is vital to grasping the enormous scale of this potential threat.

Size: Vastness of the Yellowstone Caldera

The Yellowstone Caldera is one of the largest volcanic systems in the world, measuring approximately 30 miles (48 kilometers) in width. This vast expanse is not just a simple crater but a complex system that extends deep into the Earth’s crust. The caldera’s size is a testament to the immense power and historical eruptions that have shaped the landscape over millions of years. To put it into perspective, if you were to stand at one end of the caldera, the other end would be beyond the horizon. Its sheer size is a reminder of the potential scale of future eruptions, dwarfing typical volcanic events in both magnitude and impact.

Eruption History: A Tale of Three Explosive Events

Yellowstone’s eruption history is both fascinating and terrifying. Over the past 2.1 million years, it has experienced three massive eruptions. The first occurred around 2.1 million years ago, followed by another 1.3 million years ago, with the most recent happening approximately 630,000 years ago. Each of these eruptions was significantly larger than typical volcanic events, leaving a lasting mark on the region’s geography. The ash and lava from these eruptions reshaped the landscape, creating the Yellowstone we know today. The intervals between these eruptions are long, but the enormity of each event serves as a stark reminder of what this supervolcano is capable of.

Magnitude of Supereruptions: A Force of Nature

A supereruption at Yellowstone would be an event of unimaginable magnitude. Such an eruption could release thousands of cubic kilometers of volcanic material, including ash, gas, and lava. The last eruption was so powerful that it dramatically altered the surrounding landscape, and a future eruption could do the same on an even grander scale. The energy released in a supereruption is so vast that it dwarfs the power of all human-made explosives combined. This potential force of nature is a reminder of the Earth’s unpredictable and immense power, capable of reshaping continents and climates.

Ash Fallout: A Blanket of Destruction

If Yellowstone were to erupt again on a similar scale, the ash fallout could blanket large parts of North America. This would not just be a local disaster; the ash could disrupt agriculture and infrastructure across the continent. Crops would be smothered, roads would become impassable, and air travel could be grounded. The economic and social consequences of such an event could lead to famine and economic collapse in affected areas. The ash would serve as a deadly reminder of the supervolcano’s power, transforming fertile lands into barren wastelands and turning bustling cities into ghost towns.

Global Cooling: A Volcanic Winter

The aftermath of a supereruption could lead to a phenomenon known as a volcanic winter. Vast amounts of sulfur dioxide and other aerosols released into the atmosphere would block sunlight, leading to a dramatic drop in global temperatures. This cooling effect could last for months or even years, disrupting natural climate patterns. The impact on global temperatures would be profound, affecting ecosystems, agriculture, and human life worldwide. A volcanic winter could become a grim reality, altering the planet’s climate in ways that are difficult to predict but impossible to ignore.

Climate Disruption: A Worldwide Ripple Effect

The global cooling effect from a Yellowstone eruption could drastically shorten growing seasons, causing crop failures and leading to mass starvation. Ecosystems would be disrupted as plants and animals struggle to adapt to the sudden change in climate. The ripple effect would be felt worldwide, affecting food production, global trade, and human survival. The interconnected nature of our world means that a catastrophe in one region could have far-reaching consequences, reminding us of the delicate balance we rely on for our survival. The potential for climate disruption is a sobering thought, highlighting the vulnerability of both nature and humanity.

Human Impact: A Threat to Global Survival

While the immediate impact of an eruption would devastate the region surrounding Yellowstone, the threat to human survival would extend globally. Food production would be disrupted, global trade could grind to a halt, and climate patterns would be altered. The combination of these factors could pose a significant threat to human survival, challenging our ability to adapt and overcome. The potential for a supereruption forces us to consider the fragility of our modern civilization and the ways in which we might mitigate such a disaster. It serves as a reminder of the need for preparedness and resilience in the face of nature’s unpredictable fury.

Current Activity: Watching and Waiting

Although the Yellowstone supervolcano is still active, there is currently no indication of an imminent eruption. Scientists continuously monitor the area for signs of increased volcanic activity, such as changes in geothermal features, seismic activity, and ground deformation. This ongoing vigilance helps ensure that any potential eruption would not catch us entirely off guard. The technology and expertise involved in monitoring the supervolcano are sophisticated, reflecting our understanding and respect for the forces at play. While the risk remains low, the watchful eyes of scientists around the world keep us informed and prepared.

Frequency: Rare but Not Impossible

Supereruptions at Yellowstone are extremely rare events. The last supereruption occurred around 630,000 years ago, and scientists estimate the chance of another such event in the next 1,000 years is less than 1 in 700,000. While these odds may seem reassuring, they remind us of the unpredictable nature of the Earth’s geological processes. The rarity of these events underscores the importance of understanding and preparing for the potential consequences. While the likelihood of a supereruption remains low, the potential impact is significant enough to warrant continued study and vigilance.

The post The Supervolcano That Could Kill the Entire Humanity appeared first on Climate Cosmos.

ABOUT THE FOLLOWING ACCESS TO “LLAW’s All Nuclear Daily Digest” & RELATED MEDIA:

There are 7 categories, including a bonus non-nuclear category for news about the Yellowstone caldera and other volcanic and caldera ac

tivity around the world that also play an important role in the survival of human and other life.

The feature categories provide articles and information about ‘all things nuclear’ for you to pick from, usually with up to 3 links with headlines concerning the most important media stories in each category, but sometimes fewer and occasionally even none (especially so with the Yellowstone Caldera). The Categories are listed below in their usual order:

1. All Things Nuclear
2. Nuclear Power
3. Nuclear Power Emergencies
4. Nuclear War Threats
5. Nuclear War
6. Yellowstone Caldera (Note: There is one Yellowstone Caldera bonus story available in today’s Post.)
7. IAEA News (Friday’s only)

A current Digest of major nuclear media headlines with automated links is listed below by nuclear Category (in the above listed order). If a Category heading does not appear in the daily news Digest, it means there was no news reported from this Category today. Generally, the three best articles in each Category from around the nuclear world(s) are Posted. Occasionally, if a Post is important enough, it may be listed in multiple Categories.

TODAY’S ALL NUCLEAR WORLD’s NEWS, Friday, (09/26/2025)

All Things Nuclear

NEWS

Putin’s SHOCKING Nuclear Push, Unveils Bold Nuclear Vision, Says “World Must Go Nuclear“ –

YouTube

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for a global shift towards nuclear energy, stating that “all nations must go nuclear. … This ONE THING Is …

Europe Scrambles In Shame? Putin’s Nuclear Bid Wins Rare Nod From IAEA’s Grossi, EU …

YouTube

… all the News for the Global Indian under one umbrella. We break down … Things heating up in the tropics with 2 named storms, Invest 94L. FOX …

Oklo breaks ground at INL on Aurora reactor – American Nuclear Society

American Nuclear Society

The company is also the only of the three that is traded publicly. Even more notably, Oklo holds a unique position in the pilot program: while every …

Nuclear Power

NEWS

The New Nuclear Age: Why the World Is Rethinking Atomic Power | Goldman Sachs

Goldman Sachs

Today, nuclear energy makes up just 9% of the global electricity mix, down from approximately 18% in the late 1990s. After decades of underinvestment, …

Russia, Ethiopia sign document calling for construction of nuclear plant | Reuters

Reuters

… of a nuclear power plant in the east African country, RIA news agency quoted Rosatom, the state-owned Russian nuclear corporation, as saying.

Iran and Russia sign $25bn nuclear plant deal – Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera

Rosatom has agreed to build new reactors with total capacity of 5GW in the southern Hormozgan province. Technicians working inside a nuclear power …

Nuclear Power Emergencies

NEWS

IAEA says drone detonated near Ukraine’s South Ukraine nuclear plant – Reuters

Reuters

Companies. IAEA monitors observed 22 drones near plant, some within 500 meters; Zaporizhzhia plant without power for over 48 hours, using emergency …

Zaporizhzhia Power Outage Continues As Drone Downed Close To South Ukraine Nuclear Plant

NucNet

The agency said late on 25 September that the Russia-occupied plant continued to rely on emergency diesel generators to cool its six reactors, all in …

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is in its second day of a blackout due to Russia’s actions

ZMINA.info

… emergency power supply and are not capable of meeting the station’s long-term needs. Their shutdown could lead to a loss of control over the …

See more results | Edit this alertNuclear War ThreatsNEWS

Intensifying threat looms large as UN highlights the world’s growing nuclear arsenals

UN News – the United Nations

To counter emerging threats, Mr. Rattray announced the formation of an independent scientific panel by the UN to assess the effects of nuclear war and …

Nuclear Strike On Europe Possible? Putin Ally Warns UK With Biggest Attack As NATO … – YouTube

YouTube

—argued only decisive threats could deter European elites, even saying a nuclear strike could “avoid a broader conflict with the U.S.” His …

Secretary-General’s remarks at the Plenary Meeting on the International Day for the Total …

the United Nations

We gather under a shadow that should have been lifted long ago. A threat born of human design – and prolonged by human folly. Nuclear weapons …

Nuclear War

NEWS

Disarmament over destruction: A renewed push for a world without nuclear weapons

UN News – the United Nations

Nuclear weapons continue to pose an existential threat to humanity. On Friday in New York as high-level week draws to a close, world leaders will …

Intensifying threat looms large as UN highlights the world’s growing nuclear arsenals

UN News – the United Nations

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park marks where the atomic bomb was dropped on the southern Japanese. © Unsplash/Desmond Tawiah. The Hiroshima Peace …

Ukraine war briefing: UN watchdog sounds warning after drone detonates near Ukraine nuclear plant

The Guardian

IAEA chief says no damage to South Ukraine nuclear facility but ‘next time we may not be so lucky’; Russia accused of ‘arbitrary killings’ of PoWs …

Yellowstone Caldera

NEWS

The Supervolcano That Could Kill the Entire Humanity – NewsBreak

NewsBreak

The Yellowstone Caldera is one of the largest volcanic systems in the world, measuring approximately 30 miles (48 kilometers) in width. This vast …

IAEA News