The veteran reader of this blog — can there be more than one? — may recall the kerfuffle a couple of years ago when there was a “swarm” of earthquakes in the Yellowstone. Alas for those prone to panic attacks, the swarm ran through the Hanukkah/Ramadan/Christmas/KWANZAA/New Year’s holidays, when other news is slack.
What the Yellowstone Caldera might look like from space, by moonlight, on a clear night, if you can imagine the borders of Yellowstone National Park very vividly – Smith and Siegel, 2000
You might understand, then, why I say Greg Laden turns his considerable story-telling prowess to the issue late. Still, his prowess towers over the rest of us, and he tells a great story.
Is the Yellowstone safe? he asks, rhetorically.
The answer is complex:
1) Wear a seat belt when driving around in the region;
2) Don’t feed the bears and make sure you understand bear safety; and
3) Somebody is going to get blasted by some kind of volcano in the area some day, but even if you live there the chances are it won’t be you.
The joy is in the journey — go read Laden’s explanation of the rising lava. Heck, even those of us who think we know that stuff understand it better when he explains it.
Earlier in the Bathtub:
- “News from the Yellowstone caldera: Earthquakes”, December 29, 2008
- “Yellowstone ready to blow? Not likely,” December 31, 2008
- “Yellowstone earthquake swarm finished?” January 5, 2009
- “All quiet on the Yellowstone front,” January 6, 2009
- “Eye on Yellowstone: Earthquake swarm’s second round,” January 10, 2009
- “You felt it coming: Hoaxers jump on Yellowstone quake news,” January 11, 2009
- “Bobby Jindal: Dumb about rocks,” February 27, 2009″
- “Yellowstone earthquake swarm, 2010,” January 25, 2010
- “Yellowstone earthquake swarm of 2010 fizzling out?” January 27, 2010
- “Oklahoma earthquakes: No swarm,” March 6, 2010
Also see:
Posted by Ed Darrell 
Millard Fillmore's Bathtub 