Above: recent earth quakes worldwide. During Dec. 27 and 28, there was a swarm of earthquakes under Yellowstone in the 3.0-3.9 range. Activity then dropped off to quakes less than 2.0 on the Richter magnitude scale. But today the quakes intensified above 2.0 with one recorded at 3.3 this morning.
This earthquake activity at Yellowstone is the most intense in this area for some years; the swarm is in a single location in the middle of Yellowstone Lake right above the magma chamber. What can also be seen on the seismic graphs are harmonic tremors — a sort of low level constant rumbling that indicates magma is on the move ... not good; harmonic tremors are a sure sign of impending eruption. It is possible such an eruption could be mild, or it could be the much feared Yellowstone 'Big One' which could bring humanity close to extinction.
The University of Utah Seismograph Stations reports that a notable swarm of earthquakes has been underway since December 26 beneath Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park, three to six miles south-southeast of Fishing Bridge, Wyoming. This energetic sequence of events was most intense on December 27, when the largest number of events of magnitude 3 and larger occurred. The largest of the earthquakes was a magnitude 3.9 (revised from magnitude 3.8) at 10:15 pm MST on Dec. 27. The sequence has included nine events of magnitude 3 to 3.9 and approximately 24 of magnitude 2 to 3 at the time of this release.
Above: There is still time to watch 'Super Volcano' ... while we still have time.
• UPDATE (1/1/09): email chat with Dr. Jacob Lowenstern of the U.S. Geological Survey.
* If it happpens at least the Polar Bears will be happy.
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