Yellowstone National Park, home to some of the world’s largest geysers, is also one of the nation’s top hot spots for volcanic activity.
U seismologists will share their findings with researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service at a two-day workshop next week, sponsored by the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory.
Though no major volcanic eruptions have occurred at Yellowstone for 70,000 years, some think it’s due for another eruption.
“We have some evidence that we expect some volcanic system at Yellowstone,” according to Stephan Husen, a U professor who works with the volcano observatory.
“We don’t know for sure what’s going to happen next, it’s not a straightforward answer,” Husen said.
Husen utilizes seismic tomography to collect data and analyze the Earth underneath Yellowstone.
Seismic tomography takes 3 D images of the earth, similar to the way doctors can take CAT scans of their patients, according to Husen.
Husen said that with this technology, researchers can look up to 15 kilometers underground at Yellowstone.
The YVO was established in 2001 to improve the overall efforts to monitor Yellowstone’s large volcanic system, according to YVO’s Web site.
The YVO was established through the U, the U.S. Geological Survey, Yellowstone National Park and the National Park Service.
Though there have only been three major volcanic eruptions in the past 2.1 million years, another major eruption could alter global weather patterns, according to Robert Smith, a U seismologist who is also coordinating scientist for the YVO.
Smith said one of the workshop’s goals is to create a volcano response plan in the event of a major eruption at Yellowstone or elsewhere.
“Some of the new things we’ll be seeing at this workshop will be real-time earthquake data and Global Positioning System information coming into the U,” Smith said.
According to Husen, the researchers are getting together not to find answers, but to compare information.
“We will come together to present our findings. The goal is to form an assessment of activity at Yellowstone,” he said.
The workshop will be held April 2 through 4 at the Salt Lake City Marriott University Park Hotel.