Below the blue waters of Yellowstone Lake, a mysterious dome 2,100 feet across and 100 feet high is causing concern among scientists and citizens who don't know whether it's a harmless curiosity or a hazard on the verge of exploding. The dome, also called a bulge, is less than a mile from shore and was recently explored by researchers with the U.S. Geological Survey, using unmanned submarines and sonar. "It could be the precursor to a hydrothermal explosion," said Lisa Morgan, a geologist leading the team. Hydrothermal blasts occur when super-heated water, often under extreme pressure, rapidly flashes to steam, hurling rocks and sometimes gouging out huge craters. News of the dome comes at a time of increased activity beneath Yellowstone, which experienced a magnitude 4.4 earthquake in August. In July, the park shut down part of a popular trail near the Norris Geyser Basin because the ground heated up to 200 degrees. The events have sparked Internet chatter and fear from some that a catastrophe is at hand. But scientists and park officials have cautioned against panic, saying that Yellowstone is intensely monitored for any changes. Morgan said while the dome may explode, it might just as easily collapse or simply do nothing. Still, she and park officials are drawing up a hazard-assessment plan just in case. "A hydrothermal explosion is an extreme event and a rare event but they have happened," Morgan said.

Mary Bay, an area of the lake near the dome, was created by a hydrothermal blast more than 13,000 years ago that scientists consider to be one of the biggest explosions in geologic history. There are at least five other craters in Yellowstone Lake caused by enormous eruptions. Exactly what damage an explosion would cause today is being investigated. Morgan said it could eject rocks and poisonous gas and cause waves as high as 20 feet. Whether the damage would spread beyond the park depends on the force of the blast.

View: Full Article | Source: Salt Lake Tribune

Well, the BBC2 Horizon programme a couple of years ago indicated that there is a COLOSSAL magma chamber underneath Yellowstone National Park, and that when it blows, it will devastate a huge area of the United States. Apparently, this "super volcano" has erupted in the past, and the damage extended WAY beyond the confines of the STATE, never mind the national park.

I have always been facinated with this subject.....

I've heard the ash went as far as Missouri, Iowa, Arkansas, to the east and as far as California, Oregon, Washington to the west. They say it could be a global catastrophe, for the reason it could put us in nuclear winter from all of the ash in the atmosphere. Also it will be the loudest noise ever heard by human ears.

What's really scary is there is more activity at Yellowstone that has ever been recorded in modern times.

Can they just blow a hole the dome before it explodes ? That would let it release its gas or whatever it is more progressively than a catastrophic explosion... I also heard about these super volcanoes and with pretty much the same features as described above...

TheLight

Look at blowing a whole in the dome this way. You crack a hole in a fire extinguisher very fast. What happens to the extinguisher? KABOOM! When gases that are under compression are released to fast, they explode. Same would happen with the dome if we put a hole in it to release the pressure. Thats why there are all the small natural vents. They release the gas slowly, although not at a rate that can always prevent eruptions.

For some reason, the possible eruption is something I look forward to, but don't at the same time cuz of the havoc it would cause.

Well there is a hole on top of pressure cookers and they don't explode, do they ? But yeah there's always a chance that it would blow, but most probably with less dramatic effects than if it blows naturally.

Hmmm..you're right. Well at least the my main point was seen. It could be dangerous. That was my biggest oposition to the idea. Anywayshope it blows soon. I want to see some nuclear winter. Ah...the darkness.... j/k

Here are some current facts on the park.

2003 thermal activity at norris geyser basin


BLACK OMNE

Living in the US..this concers me a bit. I found a link to a great site with tons of information about the last eruption and what would happen if it blows again. Very much worth the read.

Yellowstone Information

I hate the idea of a huge volcano. I don't like them.

Its called Yellowstone because of the yellow stones yes?The sulphur frfom the volcanoe would natrally coat the rocks in a yellow layer.