More than 100 earthquakes rattled Yellowstone in June — but that’s OK, experts say
The Yellowstone region experienced 102 earthquakes in June, but there’s no reason to panic.
Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge at Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, said the number is normal, in a video posted by the U.S. Geological Survey.
“This is pretty normal for the region where we see typically about 1,500 to 2,500 earthquakes every year on average, so we’re sort of on the lower side of average this month,” Poland said.
Some people worry that earthquakes in Yellowstone are a sign that the “supervolcano” that lies beneath the park will soon erupt, which could have regional and global consequences.
Not.
Well, provided you don't go there for a visit, wander off the boardwalk, and fall into a hot spring. Or get too close to the wildlife (which is, oddly enough, wild). Both of those things can be deadly. But not the volcano's fault.— USGS Volcanoes (@USGSVolcanoes) July 1, 2020
“Such a giant eruption would have regional effects such as falling ash and short-term (years to decades) changes to global climate,” USGS said on its website. “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).”
Poland, however, said there is no reason to fear a supervolcano eruption. And the USGS doesn’t think an eruption at Yellowstone is likely for thousands of years.
The current alert level at the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory is green, which is normal.
There’s nothing to fear at Yellowstone unless a person wandered off the path and fell into a hot spring, USGS said.
““Or get too close to the wildlife (which is, oddly enough, wild). Both of those things can be deadly. But not the volcano’s fault,” the USGS said.
The largest earthquake in Yellowstone hit June 5 near Mammoth Hot Springs, Poland said. The earthquake was a magnitude 2.8. A swarm of earthquakes also hit the area between June 12 and June 15, with about 17 earthquakes shaking Yellowstone.
Yellowstone also felt some aftershocks from the March 31 earthquake in Idaho and the earthquake in mid-March near Salt Lake City, Poland said.
