Supervolcanoes
Supervolcanoes: A Snapshot
While ‘super’ has become a popular (if somewhat over-used) word choice for expressing something overtly extra, in this case, its use as a prefix is entirely apt. ‘Supervolcanoes’ are a specific classification of volcano, referring to those with the capability to produce super eruptions. Geographers aside, these colossal phenomena remain somewhat lesser known to the general public, but as the environment grows ever more present in our consciousness, so should our understanding of one of the most powerful occurrences on planet Earth.
Volcano or Supervolcano?
Differentiating between volcanoes and supervolcanoes is key to the latter’s definition. The level of explosivity of a volcanic eruption is measured on a scale known as the Volcanic Explosivity Index. The scale runs from zero to eight, measuring eruptions from non-explosive to colossal, and where a volcano appears on the scale is linked to the amount of material emitted and the frequency of eruptions. Supervolcanoes are those with a Volcanic Explosivity Index of eight, which produce more than 1000km cubed material.
Eruptions Explained
A magnitude eight eruption is almost incomprehensible. New Zealand’s Taupo volcano was the most recent supervolcano to erupt around 26,500 years ago. The 1991 eruption of Pinatubo in the Philippines ranked six on the Volcanic Explosivity Index, which is approximately 100 times smaller than that of a supervolcano.
To aid our understanding further of this geographical phenomenon, let’s compare two eruptions. In 1980, the eruption of Mount St Helens released 2.8km cubed of material. 75,000 years ago, the eruption of a supervolcano wiped out 60% of the global human population, and scientists argue the extent to which it altered the course of human evolution and the impact it had on the climate.
Now… or Never?
Thankfully, super eruptions are very rare; generally, the larger the eruption, the less frequently it occurs. Some scientists even suggest that the term ‘supervolcano’ is misleading; if a volcano has once had a super eruption, it doesn’t mean it’s going to have another one in future. But it is possible for supervolcanoes to produce smaller eruptions. Italy is home to the supervolcano Campi Flegrei, one of the closest to the UK, and within its caldera sits a cinder cone volcano that formed in 1538 in an eruption that buried the medieval town of Tripergole; not a super eruption in itself, but the result of the supervolcano formation.
Where Are They Now?
On planet Earth, there are around 20 supervolcanoes. Yellowstone, Long Valley Caldera in California and Campi Flegrei in Italy being most notable. The surface above Yellowstone (pictured) is currently a popular tourist attraction, despite frequent earthquakes, while Campi Flegrei last erupted in the 1500s. Long Valley Caldera sparked concern in the 1970s when a series of earthquakes began to emanate from it, but data shows the magma beneath the surface is actually cooling.
Perhaps we can breathe a sigh of relief; experts don’t expect a super eruption to occur anytime soon. However, having a deeper insight into our planet’s characteristics and behaviours (and their catastrophic potential) can help us to learn, adapt and nurture what it has to offer while we’re here.
References
What on Earth? (2024) by Emily Osterloff, Natural History Museum. Source: Supervolcanoes and their enormous eruptions – Natural History Museum (nhm.ac.uk)
What are Supervolcanoes? (2024) by Luis Villazon, Science Focus. Source: What are supervolcanoes? – BBC Science Focus Magazine
Scientists have their eyes on 2 supervolcanoes (2023) by Devika Rao, The Week US. Source: What are supervolcanoes? – The Week UK
Volcanoes are erupting across the globe, should we be worried? (2023) by Bill McGuire. BBC Science Focus. Source: Volcanoes across the globe are now erupting. Should we be worried? – BBC Science Focus Magazine
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Jessica Lucas is a qualified English Language teaching professional and specialises in educational content creation.
