What Is A Super-Volcano And Are There Any We Should Be Worried About…?
Super-volcanos have extra-large calderas (lava chambers), and are not immediately obvious that they are volcanoes, as they are so wide they just look like part of the landscape. The most famous one is Yellowstone Park (and I do mean the whole park…). This one is estimated to be due around this time (give or take 1000 years). They are uncommon, but deadly. If a super-volcano erupts, we are talking about another ice-age. The amount of ash, etc, thrown into the atmosphere will take a number of years to clear. The whole side of the USA where the park is will feel the blast. There have been some excellent documentaries on this subject on Discovery – look out for them. PS: Mount Etna is only a standard (albeit a very big) volcano, you can tell it’s a volcano by looking at it.
