Super volcano.

we live on the planet Earth, a beautiful world, with oceans, land covered with forests, grassy plains, mountains, lakes, and as of now, over 4 billion people spread over 5 continents, 158 countries, islands. And we are all connected. More than we know. What happens in one far off place affects everyone everywhere. Like when a volcano explodes into life after being dormant for thousands of years. Like the super volcano at Yellowstone. The biggest super volcano in the world. When it explodes, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and pretty much all of the western states will be destroyed.

What would happen if a "supervolcano" eruption occurred again at Yellowstone?

If another large, caldera-forming eruption were to occur at Yellowstone, its effects would be worldwide. Such a giant eruption would have regional effects such as falling ash and short-term (years to decades) changes to global climate. Those parts of the surrounding states of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming that are closest to Yellowstone would be affected by pyroclastic flows, while other places in the United States would be impacted by falling ash (the amount of ash would decrease with distance from the eruption site). Such eruptions usually form calderas, broad volcanic depressions created as the ground surface collapses as a result of withdrawal of partially molten rock (magma) below. Fortunately, the chances of this sort of eruption at Yellowstone are exceedingly small in the next few thousands

supervolcano eruption would have devastating global consequences, primarily through a volcanic winter caused by ash and sulfur dioxide blocking sunlight, leading to a sharp drop in global temperatures and widespread crop failure. Locally, a massive ash fall would bury areas, collapse buildings, and destroy infrastructure, while a large area could be covered in volcanic material. This climate shift and environmental destruction could cause widespread famine and collapse of ecosystems and human civilization.

This what we have to look forward to if Yellowstone explodes. It is still active, the geysers like Old Faithfull prove it, but geologic evidence indicates that Yellowstone explodes about ever 750 thousand years. It last exploded 70,000 years ago, producing a lave flow. The last time it exploded and caused a huge caldera which we know today was 631,000 years ago. So it is approaching the time to explode again. Here are some other large volcano explosions we have knowledge of around the world:

The eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia, which caused a "year without a summer" due to global cooling. Other major events are the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa, which produced tsunamis, and the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which buried the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The eruption of the Lake Ilopango volcano around 431 CE in El Salvador is considered by some to be the deadliest in human history, though direct fatalities from the 1815 eruption of Tambora were extremely high.

Major historical eruptions

Mount Tambora, Indonesia (1815): One of the largest and deadliest eruptions in recorded history, it had a significant global impact.

(Volcanic Eruption Index) this index measures the severity of an explosion, like the Richter Scale measures the severity of an earthquake.

VEI: 7

Impact: Caused widespread starvation due to a "year without a summer" after injecting large amounts of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, leading to a global temperature drop.

Krakatoa, Indonesia (1883): A powerful eruption that created massive tsunamis.

VEI: 6

Impact: Killed over 36,000 people in coastal communities and was the first volcanic event to have a global impact that was documented in scientific journals.

Mount Vesuvius, Italy (AD 79): Famous for burying the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

VEI: 5

Impact: A devastating pyroclastic flow event, this eruption serves as a model for understanding future eruptions.

Lake Ilopango, El Salvador (circa 431 CE): This caldera-forming eruption is considered by some to be the deadliest in human history due to the scale of destruction and ashfall in the region.

VEI: 7

Impact: Ejected approximately 84 cubic kilometers of material, an amount that dwarfed that of Mount Pinatubo (1991) and Mount St. Helens (1980).

Mount St. Helens, USA (1980): The eruption ripped the volcano's summit apart, creating a massive landslide and pyroclastic flows.

VEI: 5

Impact: While casualties were limited due to evacuation, it had a significant impact on the surrounding forests, ashfall reached as far as Montana, and its sound was heard up to 700 miles away.

‘These facts were compiled by the USGS (.gov).

Jul 22, 2025 — Deadliest Volcanic Eruptions Since 1500 A.D. Eruption Year Casualties Major Cause Nevado del Ruiz, Colombia 1985 25,000 1,3 Mudflows 3

Mount Pelée or Mont Pelée is an active volcano at the northern end of Martinique, an island and French overseas department in the Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc of the Caribbean. Its volcanic cone is composed of stratified layers of hardened ash and solidified lava. Its most recent eruption was in 1932. Wikipedia

Last eruption: 1932

The stratovolcano's 1902 eruption destroyed the town of Saint-Pierre, killing 29,000 to 30,000 people in the space of a few minutes, in the worst volcanic disaster of the 20th century. The main eruption, on 8 May 1902, left only three known survivors. Ludger Sylbaris survived because he was in a poorly ventilated, dungeon-like jail cell. Léon Compère-Léandre, living on the edge of the city, escaped with severe burns. The third was a young girl named Havivra Da Ifrile, who fled to a nearby sea cave in a boat, enduring burns from falling ash.

These facts were collected by USGS (.gov).

so that is what we have to look forward to when Yellowstone erupts. It might happen now, next week, next month, next year. But it will happen. Most likely not for hundreds of years. So don’t worry now. Another reason why we have to go to the moon and to Mars, and colonize those places. Because Earth will be unlivable after Yellowstone blows. For many years.