Underwater ‘fountain’ of magma found beneath Yellowstone

Posted on March 22, 2018 by Mountain★Republic — 1 Comment

An underwater ‘fountain’ of magma has been found beneath Yellowstone supervolcano, heightening fears that a major eruption is on the way.

Researchers found a column of hot volcanic ash known as a magma ‘plume’ beneath the volcano, and they believe it stretches all the way from Mexico.

Experts suggest the plume could be the source of the heat that drives so much of the volcano’s surface activity, such as its world-famous bubbling springs.

The news follows a spate of four mini-tremors in the area last week that raised fears Yellowstone’s supervolcano is about to blow.

An underwater ‘fountain’ of magma has been found beneath Yellowstone supervolcano, heightening fears that a major eruption is on the way. This image shows how so-called ‘magma plumes’ form under the Earth’s crust.

A magma plume is an unusual geological feature that lies at the boundary between the Earth’s core and the mantle, and rises through the mantle into the crust.

Though still just a theory, this abnormality would exist as a vertical stream of magma.

Whether or not a mantle plume might lie beneath Yellowstone National Park has been hotly debated for decades.

Source: Underwater ‘fountain’ of magma found beneath Yellowstone