How can I convince my daughter that the volcano under Yellowstone will probably not erupt anytime soon?

Answer 1

It's actually, according to its past history of eruptions, overdue for an eruption. So it could go at any time. However, there will likely be several days of increasing tectonic activity-it is active now-before any eruptions occur. Scientists have it very carefully monitored via satellite, and can detect changes in ground level of as little as a mm. So the more practical thing to convince her of would be that though it may explode, we have the science and monitoring systems to warn people and make sure everyone gets somewhere safe BEFORE the explosion.

Answer 2

Oh dear! She either saw that special on the National Geographic Channel about Yellowstone volcano erupting or she is studying it in school. All I can say is tell her that the scientists are keeping a close eye on the activity under Yellowstone and that if there was a problem, it would be very newsworthy. Also explain to her that it was thousands of years ago that it last blew up. So the chances of it happening right now is very slim. Tell her not to worry about the things she can't change and to change the things that she can and to live each day to the fullest. Its hard to explain these things to youngsters. Sometimes these gloom and doom things on TV are a little too realistic and can scare children.

Answer 3

Point out to her that there are seismographs that have been recording quakes for a long time, and that very few quakes have been recorded in the Yellowstone area; even the ones that ARE recorded are small. Also, geologists keep a very close eye on that area (among others), and would know with some certainty that SOMETHING was about to happen, so that people could get out. Mount St. Helens' eruption was predicted well in advance, and the vast majority of the people in range of it had plenty of time to get out; it taught geologists a LOT about what to look for. Tell her not to worry, but to go and see the geysers, and enjoy the beauty of an amazing place :-)

Depending on her age, she (or you!) might find the site below interesting.

Answer 4

there is no way to predict the next eruption of the super-volcano that exist under yellowstone park. I personally would not live within the predicted initial destructive area around the park. you may be telling your daughter a white lie. the possibillity of a catostrofic eruction has no known timetable and will possibly affect world climate

Answer 5

Do not worry about the Yellowstone Super-volcano. Worry about the Long Valley Super-volcano.

In May of 1980, a strong earthquake swarm that included four magnitude 6 earthquakes struck the southern margin of Long Valley Caldera associated with a 25-cm, dome-shaped uplift of the caldera floor. These events marked the onset of the latest period of caldera unrest that continues to this day. This ongoing unrest includes recurring earthquake swarms and continued dome-shaped uplift of the central section of the caldera (the resurgent dome) accompanied by changes in thermal springs and gas emissions.

Answer 6

Actually- Yellowstone is a currently active area, and it IS likely that there will be volcanic activity soon. But- 'soon' in geologic time might be within the next 5,000 years.

While we haven't figured out yet how to predict earthquakes, we can predict volcanoes. There are plenty of seismic warning signs if a volcano is getting ready to blow- and we'll have weeks, if not months worth of warning. So- enjoy your trip to Yellowstone without fear.

Answer 7

Of all the natural disasters, volcanos are the easiest to predict.
Tell her there is so much more to fear.
Global warming
gang violence
rampaging pitt bulls
police brutality
airplane parts falling off aircraft as they fly over your house.
house fires
date rape
Our government selling us all to the medical companies for experimentation. (mandatory HPV vaccines for girls in 6th grade)
See, there is so much more to be concerned with, that a volcano is a blessing.

Answer 8

I am with your daughter. That place, although lovely, is scary. There's so much pressure and heat deep down that boiling water shoots out of the ground and steam is coming out of every little hole. And just because it hasn't erupted in the last 1000 years doesn't mean it won't erupt tomorrow!!

Answer 9

The way Nature is treating us, your daughter has a lot more sense than the rest of us !!!

Answer 10

Ask her to study up and tell you whether you should worry. Then learn along with her.