Supervolcanos
Author
Discussion

sparkythecat

Original Poster:

8,097 posts

284 months

Friday 11th March 2005
quotequote all
Caught a preview of a programme to be screened in the few days with the above title.

It's another end of the world type scenario this time involving, - yes you've guessed volcanos. The special effects looked very good.

Now although this programme is blatantly 'faction' the guy being interviewed was scientifically, very knowledgeable. One of the thing he said was that Yellowstone Park in the US is in the crater of a massive supervolcano and there is still a lot of geothermal activity going on down there. A lot of research is now being focussed on this, because if it were ever to erupt the consequences could be far worse than a nuclear winter and there is as yet no guaranteed way of predicting such an event.

Using scientific modelling and some tremendous computer power, boffins have calculated that if this thing let go, the ash produced would be enough to cover the whole of US to a depth of 4 to 5 metres and would bring about world climate change. Average temperatures in the UK for instance would drop by 15degC We'd have to burn lentilists and yoghurt weavers just to keep warm

Puts the current pre-occupation with global warming into perspective now doesn't it?

diddyman

3,646 posts

270 months

Friday 11th March 2005
quotequote all

sparkythecat

Original Poster:

8,097 posts

284 months

Friday 11th March 2005
quotequote all
How the did you find that?

When I tried to see if there was a thread on this the computer said " search is temporarily disabled"



>> Edited by sparkythecat on Friday 11th March 10:17

diddyman

3,646 posts

270 months

Friday 11th March 2005
quotequote all
sparkythecat said:
How the did you find that?

When I tried to see if there was a thread on this the computer said " search is temporarily disabled"



>> Edited by sparkythecat on Friday 11th March 10:17

I found it cos I contributed to it, so it was in my profile already!

viper_larry

4,372 posts

285 months

Friday 11th March 2005
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Still no-one's answered:

When is it on?

sparkythecat

Original Poster:

8,097 posts

284 months

Friday 11th March 2005
quotequote all
viper_larry said:
Still no-one's answered:

When is it on?


Sunday 9pm on BBC1
Second part same time on Monday

simpo two

92,662 posts

294 months

Friday 11th March 2005
quotequote all
Well, I don't think we need worry about global warming. Either the super volcano, a giant meteorite or Al-Quaeda will wipe us out long before then. Or MRSA.

Youth Gone Wild

4,028 posts

266 months

Friday 11th March 2005
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Let's face it, if it's 30-50 thousand years overdue, how likely is it to go off in the next 60 years?

D_Mike

5,301 posts

269 months

Friday 11th March 2005
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On a geological timescale it's very likely to go off soon. On a human timescale they are very rare...

Therefore you're not likely to see it.

Interestingly there is speculation that the last supervolcano eruption cut down the numbers of humans worldwide to around a 1000, explaining why we are all so similar genetically.

MilnerR

8,273 posts

287 months

Friday 11th March 2005
quotequote all
Youth Gone Wild said:
Let's face it, if it's 30-50 thousand years overdue, how likely is it to go off in the next 60 years?



Talk about tempting fate!! I bet you advise people not to bother with a brolly either!

simpo two

92,662 posts

294 months

Friday 11th March 2005
quotequote all
D_Mike said:
Interestingly there is speculation that the last supervolcano eruption cut down the numbers of humans worldwide to around a 1000, explaining why we are all so similar genetically.

Is there any evidence of the event? (like the meteoroid that wiped out the dinosaurs left the Bay of Mexico)

diddyman

3,646 posts

270 months

Saturday 12th March 2005
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simpo two said:

D_Mike said:
Interestingly there is speculation that the last supervolcano eruption cut down the numbers of humans worldwide to around a 1000, explaining why we are all so similar genetically.


Is there any evidence of the event? (like the meteoroid that wiped out the dinosaurs left the Bay of Mexico)

Yes, there is a 3m thick layer of ash over much of the midwest of the US, that has been attributed to the last Yellowstone eruption. (errr.... it's underground!)

john75

5,303 posts

276 months

Saturday 12th March 2005
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Looking forward to seeing this

turbobloke

117,115 posts

289 months

Saturday 12th March 2005
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Like I said before, supervolcanoes belch out squillions of tonnes of carbon dioxide, so - realising the tax consequences - volcanism will run scared of Bliar and the Greens and nothing will happen. We're safe, all thanks to that nice man Tone.

Eric Mc

125,606 posts

294 months

Saturday 12th March 2005
quotequote all
Don't worry, the government will pass a new law making the eruption of supervolcanoes illegal. In fact, they will probably make it illegal for a supervolcano to even contemplate an eruption. Finally, park rangers who fail to spot that a super volcano is erupting, about to erupt or is thinking about erupting will also be charged under "The Failure to Disclose Information about Posible Supervolcano Eruption Act" of 2005.

It's nice to know we are in such good hands.

>> Edited by Eric Mc on Saturday 12th March 12:41

turbobloke

117,115 posts

289 months

Saturday 12th March 2005
quotequote all
Eric Mc said:
Don't worry, the government will pass a new law making the eruption of supervolcanoes illegal. In fact, they will probably make it illegal for a supervolcano to even contemplate an eruption. Finally, park rangers who fail to spot that a super volcano is erupting, about to erupt or is thinking about erupting will also be charged under "The Failure to Disclose Information about Posible Supervolcano Eruption Act" of 2005.

Eric Mc

125,606 posts

294 months

Saturday 12th March 2005
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Blair and his government keep reminding me of the legend of King Canute for some odd reason.

turbobloke

117,115 posts

289 months

Saturday 12th March 2005
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Remember, that should be spelt King Cnut

Eric Mc

125,606 posts

294 months

Saturday 12th March 2005
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Noted for future reference.

turbobloke

117,115 posts

289 months

Saturday 12th March 2005
quotequote all
Eric Mc said:
Noted for future reference.
So you'll be posting about the cnuts in government again then