YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK – What’s preventing the massive volcano underneath Yellowstone National Park from erupting? Scientists think they might have the answer, thanks in part to a big truck that created mini earthquakes.
Researchers think a cap of magma about 2.4 miles under the surface is acting like a lid, trapping pressure and heat below it. Gas is still being released from the magma reservoir, creating an overall stable state.
All that gas is believed to be contributing to Yellowstone’s abundant hydrothermal features.
“By identifying this sharp, volatile-rich cap beneath Yellowstone, (the) team has established a new benchmark for monitoring the volcano’s activity,” Rice University stated in a news release. “Future research could attempt to detect any shifts in melt content or gas accumulation that may serve as early warning signs of unrest.”
The team used a 53,000 pound vibroseis truck to create tiny earthquakes that sent seismic waves through the ground, allowing them to measure the distance to the magma cap. They could only run the truck at night to avoid disturbing crowds at the busy national park. The truck is usually used for oil and gas exploration.
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