Most People Have No Idea How Powerful Wyoming’s Supervolcano Could Be
Usually, when the subject of Wyoming’s supervolcano is raised, it comes with a side of uncertainty and anxiety. The thought of the devastation the massive magma-oozing cauldron could cause is bleak at best.
There is always a silver lining, however, even with clouds made of ash. It turns out that cooling the magma inside the volcano could not only prevent an eruption but could also provide a renewable source of energy on a mind-blowing scale.
The Wyoming supervolcano last erupted around 640,000 years ago, making many concerned that it's due for another big blow-out at any time. To avert disaster, NASA came up with an idea that has two awesome projected outcomes.
Wyoming's supervolcano has two magma chambers filled with molten rock, some soft and partially solid and the rest in boiling liquid form. The plan is to freeze the chambers by pumping cool water around them.
The first (and some feel the most important) result would be that the molten rock would solidify, much like the rock that formed Devil's Tower. That would prevent another eruption from occurring.
For that to happen, a power plant would have to be built, but it's a realistic idea. Iceland also has a large volcano, and that natural resource provides 13 percent of the country's energy.
How much energy might that be? It's been calculated that the Wyoming supervolcano could power all of the Earth two times over.
Wyoming already exports wind energy to Colorado, Oregon, and Utah.
Producing renewable energy is just a side effect of NASA’s plan. The main focus is to prevent an eruption that could potentially affect the entire planet, but that threat isn’t as imminent as some think. In case you missed our article outlining the actual danger level, you can read it here.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Wyoming In Your Inbox
Thank you! You'll receive your first newsletter soon!
