Why are volcanos like Yellowstone so powerful? How many other volcanos are there on Earth that are as large as Yellowstone? What would be the effects on modern civilization if a volcano as large as Yellowstone were to erupt today?

Andy Koppel

Good question. Yellowstone and other large calderas are so powerful because very large amounts of ash are ejected in a relatively short time. This is essentially the conversion of heat and gas pressure to mechanical energy. There are probably a few dozen or so similar calderas in the world. Yellowstone sent ash to the Mississippi and almost to Mexico. It would cause extreme hardship on agriculture and probably the economy (not to mention displacing millions of people).

Sincerely,
Steve Mattox

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