Mount St. Helens <--reference link
Pele (Deity) <-- reference link
It is with growing alarm that many people have been hearing, seeing and noticing that it seems Yellowstone's super volcano may be coming back to life after a 640,000yr rest. What some people do not know, is that this volcano is one of the world's largest super volcanoes, next to Hawaii and others. In total the Earth has 15 super volcanoes with the ability to alter and change life as we know it. Is this something we should be worried about? YES! Yellowstone sits on the outer edges of both Canada and the USA's bread basket. Should this volcano wake up, it would destroy dozens of acres of farmland, crops, cattle and of course, killing up to thousands of people.
As it stands, we, as a human race, rely heavily on what our bread baskets can grow, and later on the fall harvest. What we have forgotten, is that a 2 or even 3 degree drop in temperature, could destroy our crops worldwide and sadly, yes, Yellowstone has that ability. During it's last eruption, Yellowstone formed one of the world's largest sunken caldera's that can only be seen by either air, or space, this is how big this area is. You as a resident of that area, drive through it!
Quote: "If another catastrophic caldera-forming Yellowstone eruption were to occur, it quite likely would alter global weather patterns and have enormous effects on human activity, especially agricultural production, for one-to-two decades. In fact, the relatively small 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines was shown to have temporarily, yet measurably, changed global temperatures."
Alarming isn't it? It should be. For those of you who scoff and rely heavily on your computers, you may as well kiss them goodbye for much of our energy is supplied by the USA. Also, keep in mind, that Yellowstone has not one but several Nuclear Reactor Plants that provide other sources of energy. Should Yellowstone go off, it has the potential to destroy these plants means of cooling the reactors down, by clogging the waterways with thick, cement like, ash. Keep talking smack when you aren't allowed outside for several years because the air you breath in, is too toxic.
Know how we have food shortages now? Ha! What we're dealing with right now, is a joke compared to what will happen, should Yellowstone go off. Massive, country wide, food shortages will be the leading cause of death, alongside, fresh water shortages, clean air shortages and so on. However, is there hope? Sure. We as a people, have found out ways of quickly replanting as is a prime example after Mount. St. Helens erupted in the 1980's. Shortly after the volcano settled down, and the all clear was given, thousands of acres of forest were quickly replanted with native plants and trees. Though the company that did this, had to often times dig several feet below the ash fall, they managed to get the trees going. 30yrs later, it doesn't even look like Helens blew unless one looks closely enough.
Are we able to survive what Yellowstone has to throw at us? Most likely. Will there be a great loss of life? Definitely. Is there anything we can do, to prevent it? Evacuate now or have an evacuation plan at the ready. Remember to have items you want salvaged packed up and ready to go at a moment's notice. Keep family heirlooms packed up and in boxes. Buy a trailer, buy a camper and have each vehicle tested, and ready to go should the notice be given. Remember, if you wait till the last second to leave, then you won't be leaving at all except in a body bag.
How far should you evacuate? Well they've deemed that the last eruption blast was about a 100miles in all directions. If you can get out of the blast zone or red zone as it's sometimes called, then you stand a good chance. Remember, the eruption itself is not what kills you. It's the super heated clouds of debris, and the ash itself that does. Is it wise to have a bunker somewhere nearby and out of the blast zone? Probably. A bunker, built underground, well away from the blast zone (most preferably out of the area altogether), will not only shelter you, but offers an easier way to stock pile food, blankets, water, and so on. Is this a doomsday type of deal? Certainly. Once Yellowstone settles down, and relaxes as it were, you're going to be looking out at a landscape that is not only scarred, but completely and utterly destroyed. South will look like North, and North will look like South, with the sky completely darkened during the day due to the vast volume of ash that has been erupted out.
Are the fleeing buffalo a good sign that Yellowstone is coming to life? Duh! All animals can sense danger that's right below their feet. Remember, these guys were fleeing the park during the coldest time of the season; April, when much of Yellowstone, as we saw, was still covered in snow. Buffalo won't leave their winter grazing grounds that early in the season for no apparent reason.
However there is hope as stated in the next quote.
Quote: "The long-term nature of volcanism in this part of North America suggests that more eruptions will occur as the Yellowstone National Park continues to evolve. The most recent series of eruptions, 160,000 to 70,000 years ago, extruded more than 20 thick rhyolite lava flows and domes, most of them within the youngest caldera. Other post-caldera lavas are basalts, erupted around the margins of the rhyolitic calderas. Based on Yellowstone's history, the next eruptions are likely to expel lavas, which might be either rhyolites or basalts, possibly accompanied by moderate explosive activity. Far less likely would be another enormous outpouring of material that could lead to a fourth caldera."
As seen in this quote, the likelihood of another Caldera forming eruption is not likely to happen anytime soon, however, the next eruptions could still be very bad. Is it a wise idea to prepare now, rather than wait till after an eruption? Of course! Eruptions can last for a few hrs, or a few months. It's always a good idea to stock up, have an evacuation plan, and know your evacuation routes, in and out of the area that you live in. Remember never go back into the blast zone until the all clear has been given! If the all clear has not been given then chances are, there is still small eruptions going on that you simply can not see. These smaller eruptions, as seen oftentimes in Hawaii, have been known to lead to bigger ones. Mount St. Helens, is again, a prime example of that. Small eruptions during the 1980s eventually lead to the big explosion that killed 57 people. Chances are, these were people who either refused to listen, refused to leave the area, or were monitoring the mountain (Johnston's Ridge is named after the scientist who yelled "Vancouver Vancouver, it's happening!" His body was never found). Never return to your home till the all clear has been given by authorities! Listening to these people, even though at times, they withhold information, could save your life!
Also a poem founded in Hawaii is a good thing to keep in mind;
Red is her color
Black is her hair
Respect the Fire Maiden
or I warn you
Beware
The above poem speaks about Pele, the Goddess who is often said to be seen in and around Hawaii's active volcanoes. Often considered a highly and quick tempered Goddess, she is known to often be seen just before or shortly after an eruption. She is known as the Volcano Goddess and as such, is to be respected.
Quote: " In addition to being recognized as the goddess of volcanoes, Pele is also known for her power, passion, jealousy, and capriciousness. She has numerous siblings, including Kāne Milohai, Kamohoaliʻi, Nāmaka and numerous sisters named Hiʻiaka, the most famous being Hiʻiakaikapoliopele (Hiʻiaka in the bosom of Pele). They are usually considered to be the offspring of Haumea. Pele's siblings include deities of various types of wind, rain, fire, ocean wave forms, and cloud forms. Her home is believed to be the fire pit called Halemaʻumaʻu crater, at the summit caldera ofKīlauea, one of the Earth's most active volcanoes; but her domain encompasses all volcanic activity on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi."
However, even though science wishes to say that there's a logical reason for everything, science can not dispute the many sightings, and claims for the above poem. The old saying goes; behind every legend, is a reason and behind every reason, is a legend waiting to be born.
Should you respect the above poem? Sure, if you want too. Should you respect the volcanoes that may be in your area? Definitely, especially if you wish to see your 80th birthday. No matter their size, no matter their beauty, all volcanoes should be treated with the utmost respect. If you fail to respect the volcano, then the volcano will not respect you. Failure to respect something this powerful, and unpredictable, is the quickest way to an early grave.
So my advice? Stock pile, and prepare. You don't necessarily have to run screaming to the nearest hill, but it is a good idea to be prepared. Just in case the unknown should happen.
No comments:
Post a Comment