More than a hundred earthquakes struck Yellowstone in the past month, raising fears of a devastating eruption of the volatile supervolcano. Mike Poland, the chief scientist in charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, revealed the number of recent earthquakes in an overview of activity in Yellowstone during June. Speaking on behalf of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Mr. Poland confirmed that 102 earthquakes had just hit the area.
The earthquakes were detected by the University of Utah seismographic stations that are responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Yellowstone seismic network.
The earthquakes are closely monitored in Yellowstone because many fear that the supervolcano at the site is delayed by another cataclysmic eruption that could wipe out the United States.
The last major eruptions of the Yellowstone volcano soared about 640,000, 1.2 million and 2.1 million years ago.
When Yellowstone last erupted, an event known as the Lava Creek eruption, the supervolcano covered an estimated 2,900 square miles (7,500 square km) with ash and precipitation.
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However, Poland tried to minimize fears of an impending volcanic disaster.
On the number of earthquakes recently, he said: “That is quite normal for the region where we typically see 1,500 to 2,500 earthquakes each year on average.
“So in fact, we are on the low side of the average this month.”
The largest earthquake of the month occurred on June 5 when it hit a magnitude 2.8.
He added: “There are also some replicas of the magnitude five event that occurred in mid-March in the Salt Lake City area.”
The National Park Service has repeatedly tried to dismiss catastrophic fears surrounding Yellowstone.
They recently said: “Yellowstone is one of the most seismically active areas in the United States. Approximately 700 to 3,000 earthquakes occur each year in the Yellowstone area; most don’t feel. “
While an eruption may not occur soon, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has said: “If another large caldera-forming eruption occurs in Yellowstone, its effects would be worldwide.”
