Activity around the Yellowstone Caldera has scientists scrambling to predict if it may erupt. Previously, it was theorized that the world would not see any catastrophic eruptions from the megavolcano for another several thousand years but ultimately the caldera is unpredictable. New findings suggest that it may be ready to blow. We talked with a Yellowstone scientist and ranger. Here’s what she had to say:
Q: What’s going on with the Yellowstone Caldera that has everyone chewing their nails?
A: Well, there’s many ways we’ve been keeping an eye on the caldera. For many years now, we’ve been tracking the height of the earth’s crust to predict the growth of the magma chamber below. For a short period, the ground was rising rapidly but since then it has significantly slow. That’s why we weren’t expecting much activity from the caldera. Now, the height is increasing at an unprecedented rate. We’ve picked up seismic readings indicating small tremors as well. We don’t want to alarm anyone for no reason, but we’ve truly never seen it behave like this. We can’t take that lightly.
Q: So is it going to erupt?
A: We don’t know. There’s many theories being tossed around. But the possibility of eruption is certainly higher than we previously thought. It’s a reality we may have to face.
Q: What can people do to protect themselves if the megavolcano erupts?
A: There’s not much anyone can do. In the case of an eruption, the effects could be worldwide. We would be looking at widespread destruction in the states closest to Yellowstone and falling ash all over the country. There is no feasible evacuation plan we could execute. The scale would simply be too large. I know this sounds bleak so I have to reaffirm that we aren’t certain the caldera will erupt or what exactly that eruption would look like. It’s important that people do not panic. Let’s just keep our ears to the ground and sit tight as we watch the situation develop.
Q: How will the nuclear strike on Los Angeles affect the megavolcano?
A: What?
Q: The President has decided to nuke L.A. It’s all over the news. How would the bomb drops affect the caldera?
Erm… sorry, what? Are you messing with me? The President is going to drop a nuclear bomb on Los Angeles?
Q: Possibly a lot of them.
A: What..?
Q: Would that affect the volcano?
A: Hang on… Why would that affect the volcano? What? Like the seismic shock of nuclear bomb? We tested nuclear weapons in Nevada for 50 years, why would bombs in L.A. concern the caldera now? What? This is ridiculously, what’s happening here?
Q: I’m sorry you had to find out about the nukes this way.
A: You have to be messing with me… Nukes causing the caldera to erupt? How do you even think of that? Shit. You’re one of those nonsense reports. Fuck, how do I keep being assigned to interviews with you creeps? Apocalipses, right? I just talked to one of you this morning. Fuck. Get out of my face. Please, please just go.
Q: I’m really not messing with you. I’m sorry. I’ll leave.
A: Just leave, please, go… Nukes in L.A., fuck… I need to call someone.