Yellowstone: Geologic Activity vs. Apocalyptic Conspiracy Theories

Recent reports of fissures opening up near Yellowstone National Park have sparked a flurry of sensationalist headlines and unfounded concerns. It is important to separate the facts from the fiction and understand the broader context of geologic activity in the area.

Geologic Activity in Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park is indeed one of the most geologically active regions in the United States. The park sits atop a vast magma chamber that fuels many of the park's notable features, such as geysers, hot springs, and other thermal features. However, the recent rock fissures near Hidden Falls represent a common occurrence of geologic activity in an area already known for its significant seismic and tectonic shifts.

Recent Fissure Near Hidden Falls

On July 10, 2018, mountain guides in the Grand Teton National Park area, directly south of Yellowstone, noticed new and growing cracks in the rocks. Teton park spokeswoman Denise Germann stated, “Yesterday Exum guides noticed cracks in the rocks. They communicated that to rangers this morning and when they went to investigate they realized it had actually gotten bigger and expanded.” The crack was about 100 feet long and runs horizontally along a rock wall that is at least 100 feet tall.

Rangers temporarily closed the area near Hidden Falls and a neighboring region out of safety concerns. Denise Germann explained that “the whole area is prone to geological activity” and “this was a very notable difference.” Park officials are searching for a National Park Service expert to assess the risk of a potentially unstable rock wall.

Geologic Activity and Volcanic Eruptions

It is essential to understand that while the Yellowstone magma chamber is actively replenishing itself and geologic activity is common, a large-scale, globally disruptive volcanic eruption is highly unlikely in the near future. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) considers the risk of a caldera-forming eruption at Yellowstone in the next couple of thousand years to be “exceedingly low.”

Investigators and experts agree that the magma chamber currently does not contain the volume of magma needed for such a large-scale eruption. The process of replenishing the magma chamber occurs on slow timescales, and warning signs of an imminent eruption would be much more evident than a 100-foot rock fissure.

Common Misconceptions and Social Media Sensationalism

Social media and online news outlets often sensationalize stories about Yellowstone, linking every rock fissure or earthquake to an impending supervolcanic eruption. Headlines like “Local rock fissures could signal Yellowstone’s next big eruption” or “Yellowstone Volcano latest: 100-FOOT fissure sparks URGENT park closure” play into public fears and generate clicks, ad revenue, and engagement.

For instance, the Daily Mail ran a headline stating, “Rock fissure sparks URGENT closure at Grand Teton National Park just 60 miles from Yellowstone supervolcano.” Similarly, the Daily Express opened their article with, “A 100-foot fissure has opened up in the Grand Teton National Park — not far from the potentially catastrophic Yellowstone volcano.”

The park closure was urgent due to safety concerns related to potential falling rocks, not an imminent eruption. Statements like these play into the fear of an impending disaster, but it is crucial to separate hype from reality.

Conclusion

The geologic activity observed near Yellowstone is not an imminent indicator of a supervolcanic eruption. Instead, it is a common occurrence that the park's experts monitor and manage. The USGS and other entities are constantly monitoring warning signs, and the risk of an eruption is exceedingly low. It is important to rely on credible sources and scientific fact rather than sensationalist headlines when considering the safety and reality of volcanic activity in the region.

For individuals interested in staying updated on geologic events in Yellowstone, the USGS’s Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) provides regular updates and accurate information.

Stay informed and stay safe by relying on scientific data and credible news sources.

Keywords

Yellowstone: Geologic Activity, Volcanic Eruption, Geologic Activity