Every 100 thousand years, a supervolcano erupts on Earth. This is the common name for volcanoes, which through their activity can cause climate change throughout the planet. During an eruption, they throw huge amounts of ash and dust into the air. They also cause environmental pollution with gases such as hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide that are dangerous to the health of all living things. According to some scientists, if a supervolcano erupts at the present time, people will have to endure a volcanic winter – ash could cover the entire sky and block sunlight, which will lead to severe cooling. But recently, scientists have studied the effects of past supervolcanic eruptions and found that the Earth's climate will not become too cold. But all people without exception will need gas masks.
The results of a new study have shown that a supervolcano eruption is unlikely to lead to the death of humanity
What is a supervolcano in simple words
The term “supervolcano” has no scientific origin. This word was first used in 2000 in the popular science series Horizon. Using it, the authors designated very powerful volcanic eruptions that can affect the Earth's climate.
Since then, supervolcanoes have been called volcanoes that are capable of throwing out 1000 cubic meters of magma in one eruption. To understand how much this is, you can imagine 100 trucks filled to the brim with molten mass. Also, this volume can be compared to two skyscrapers 400 meters high completely filled with magma.
Any volcano throws a huge amount of ash and other pollution into the sky
This amount of magma is enough to cover the entire sky and limit the access of sunlight to the surface of our planet. In this case, the Earth will become cold, which is why scientists believe that supervolcanoes can change the climate.
Read also:The largest volcanic eruptions in human history
What supervolcanoes are there on Earth
Supervolcanoes that can change the whole world do not have mountain peaks. They are usually large craters called calderas.
There have been 15 supervolcano eruptions over the past 2.5 billion years. Many of them have already gone out, but some still pose a great danger to people and all other living creatures.
The most famous supervolcano in the world is located in the northwestern United States – the Yellowstone Caldera. It covers an area measuring 55 by 72 kilometers, which is a hilly area surrounded by mountains. It is believed that it erupted for the first time 2.1 million years ago, when emissions rose to a height of 50 kilometers. Also, the Yellowstone supervolcano erupted 1.3 million years ago. The third eruption occurred 640 thousand years ago and was two times weaker than the first. Scientists regularly learn new things about these eruptions.
Yellowstone Caldera in the USA
Another dangerous supervolcano is located on the territory of the Japanese island of Kyushu – it is called Aira. It last erupted 22 thousand years ago. Today, right on it is the city of Kagoshima, where approximately 500 thousand people live.
View of the Aira caldera from above
The Taupo supervolcano is located in New Zealand. On the Indonesian island of Sumatra there is the Toba caldera. Valles Volcano is located in the US state of New Mexico. In general, there are many of them, and each of them poses some degree of danger to all living things.
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What will happen during a supervolcano eruption
As noted above, some scientists expect that when a supervolcano erupts, a long winter will begin on Earth. It could lead to the extinction of many species of animals and even all of humanity.
But recently, researchers from NASA and Columbia University decided to find out what would happen during a supervolcano eruption in the modern world. To find out, they studied the consequences of previous disasters of this kind.
A supervolcano will erupt someday – scientists are sure of it
Computer modeling has shown that whatever the amount of ash and gases, under current conditions they will not be able to lead to the onset of a volcanic winter. Large amounts of sulfur dioxide will be released into the environment, which, like ash, can block sunlight. But it will quickly settle and will also serve as a kind of “blanket”, preventing the heat from leaving quickly. Also, do not forget that today we are already living in a period of global warming, which can also “protect” us from cold weather.
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However, gas emissions will greatly complicate human life. To avoid being harmed by them, everyone will have to wear a gas mask and a protective suit. Without a doubt, supervolcanoes will cause many deaths, but humanity is unlikely to become extinct. But thousands of years ago, Neanderthals, according to one version, disappeared precisely because of a supervolcano.