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Supervolcano

• Did you see the new docudrama Supervolcano about Yellowstone on television? Here Yellowstone Volcano Observatory scientists answer questions about Supervolcanoes, Volcanic Hazards, Yellowstone, and the movie.
• What is a supervolcano?
• What are some other examples of supervolcanoes?
• I read that scientists couldn't find the Yellowstone caldera until they looked at a photo of Yellowstone from space. Is this true?

Volcanic History

• When was the last time there was volcanism at Yellowstone?
• How much volcanic activity has there been at Yellowstone since the most recent giant eruption?
• How often do volcanic eruptions occur at Yellowstone?
• What was the extent of ash deposition from the largest Yellowstone eruptions?
• How many caldera-forming eruptions have occurred from the long-lived hotspot that is currently beneath Yellowstone?
• How many giant eruptions have occurred in the Yellowstone National Park region and how large were they?
• How do the giant eruptions in the Yellowstone National Park region compare to other large historic eruptions?

Monitoring

• What are the main monitoring instruments of YVO?
• What techniques does YVO use to measure ground deformation?
• Have uplift and subsidence been seen on other volcanoes? Does uplift mean that an eruption is coming?
• Is it true that volcanic activity at Yellowstone has recently increased?
• What is the current status of volcanic activity at Yellowstone?

Future Activity

• Is it true that the next caldera-forming eruption of Yellowstone is overdue?
• When will Yellowstone erupt again?
• What type of eruption will occur if Yellowstone erupts again?
• When will the next large earthquake occur in Yellowstone?
• Could a large Yellowstone eruption significantly change weather patterns?
• Can you release some of the pressure at Yellowstone by drilling into the volcano?

Heatflow and Geothermal

• How hot is Yellowstone?
• What is heat flow?
• How is heat released in Yellowstone?
• Can we use the heat from Yellowstone for energy?

Science

• How fast is the hotspot moving under Yellowstone?
• How large is the magma chamber that is currently under Yellowstone? How much magma is there under Yellowstone?
• Why is Yellowstone called Yellowstone?
• Are earthquakes at Yellowstone related to volcanism?
• What is the relationship between volcanism and the geysers and hot springs in Yellowstone?
• Do you have a list of references that discuss volcanic activity in Yellowstone National Park?

Do you have a question that was not answered here? If so check out these FAQ lists.

• USGS Volcano Hazards Program FAQs
• USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory FAQs
• USGS Long Valley Observatory FAQs, including questions about the movie Dante's Peak
• Volcano World website's Top 101 FAQs