Could a Volatile Super Volcano Wipe Out Arizona?

There have been almost 50 volcanic eruptions on our planet this year, and scientists are predicting at least four more in the near future.

Many of the volcanic eruptions are happening underwater. The Axial Seamount, for example, is an underwater volcano 300 miles off the Oregon coast. Scientists see signs that it will begin actively erupting soon. This has been a highly active year for volcanic activity, and it may be the beginning.

Did You Know: There Are Over 600 Volcanoes in Arizona?

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The Chances of Catastrophic Volcanic Activity in Arizona

What about Arizona? What chances could a long-sleeping giant, like a caldera or a super volcano, wake up in our state?

Arizona doesn't have a super volcano, but we may be on the path of a catastrophic eruption. Our state is relatively close to the Yellowstone Caldera in Wyoming, one of the most famous super volcanoes. A caldera is essentially an "upside-down" volcano - a large, bowl-shaped depression formed when a volcano erupts and collapses.

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The Yellowstone Caldera is only about 800 miles from Arizona. When you consider a super volcano can eject over 1,000 cubic kilometers of volcanic material, 800 miles is not nearly far enough way to be unaffected by a blast.

The Yellowstone Caldera. // Canva

People in Arizona 'Freaked Out' About Possible Super Volcano

How Often Does Yellowstone Erupt?

What are the odds of the Yellowstone caldera erupting? The caldera has experienced three major eruptions in the past 2.1 million years: the Huckleberry Ridge eruption (2.1 million years ago), the Mesa Falls eruption (1.3 million years ago), and the Lava Creek eruption (640,000 years ago).

The explosions were so massive that they left ash deposits across vast areas, and yes, even across parts of Arizona.

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You can relax for now, though. The odds of another Yellowstone eruption in the near future are extremely low. Scientists keep a close eye on the caldera, and it doesn't seem to be getting cranky just yet.

Sources: US Geological Survey | National Parks Traveler | USA Today | Wikipedia

The Top 20 Leading Causes of Death in Arizona

Many of the top causes of death in Arizona are preventable. Early medical intervention and lifestyle changes can help lessen the chances of dying from any one of these illnesses.

Gallery Credit: Val Davidson

LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades

Stacker ranked the most expensive climate disasters by the billions since 1980 by the total cost of all damages, adjusted for inflation, based on 2021 data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The list starts with Hurricane Sally, which caused $7.3 billion in damages in 2020, and ends with a devastating 2005 hurricane that caused $170 billion in damage and killed at least 1,833 people. Keep reading to discover the 50 of the most expensive climate disasters in recent decades in the U.S.

Gallery Credit: KATELYN LEBOFF

LOOK: The states with the most UFO sightings

For each state, we’ve also included details of famous UFO sightings in that state. Of note is that almost three-quarters of all UFO sighting reports in the United States occur between 4 p.m. and midnight, and tend to peak between 9 and 10 p.m. Food for thought next time you're out scoping for alien life. Keep reading to see which states have had the most UFO sightings.

Gallery Credit: Nicole Caldwell & Matt Albasi

Filed Under: Arizona, caldera, eruption, volcano

Categories: Arizona Local, Arizona News, Arizona Outdoors, Articles