Magma Reservoir Under Yellowstone Is Much Bigger Than Previously Thought 93
schwit1 writes "The reservoir of molten rock underneath Yellowstone National Park in the United States is at least two and a half times larger than previously thought. Despite this, the scientists who came up with this latest estimate say that the highest risk in the iconic park is not a volcanic eruption but a huge earthquake. Jamie Farrell, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Utah, mapped the underlying magma reservoir by analyzing data from more than 4,500 earthquakes. Seismic waves travel more slowly through molten rock than through solid rock, and seismometers can detect those changes. The images show that the reservoir resembles a 4,000-cubic-kilometer underground sponge, with 6–8% of it filled with molten rock. It underlies most of the Yellowstone caldera and extends a little beyond it to the northeast."
Re: free power (Score:5, Insightful)
Until the crust becomes unstable, causing a massive extinction level erruption and consuming our stargate.
Yes, but we won't need the power plant following an ELE — this power plant would be self-decommissioning at the exact moment we're finished using it. Also, couldn't this power plant potentially extend its (and our) own service-life (should this be the risk that does us in...) by transferring energy from the caldera in a less abrupt manner?
Re:free power (Score:5, Insightful)
time for a big old geothermal plant?
Several companies have applied for permits to build geothermal plants near Yellowstone Park. So far all applications have been denied, by either the federal government or the state of Montana, out of concern that they would adversely affect the geothermal features of the park. We need to understand the geology better before we start tapping the heat.
Re:free power (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:free power (Score:4, Insightful)
No, politicians and bureaucrats need to understand mathematics better so that they realize exactly how much heat you'd have to remove to start influencing geological events. Especially ones that measure 4000 km3...
While cheap geothermal would be nice I actually don't mind if they're hesitant to start poking the magma filled bubble that is eventually going to burst and wipe out the continent.