Usually, when the subject of Wyoming’s supervolcano is raised, it comes with a side of uncertainty and anxiety. The thought of the devastation the massive magma-oozing cauldron could cause is bleak at best.
There is always a silver lining, however, even with clouds made of ash. It turns out that cooling the magma inside the volcano could not only prevent an eruption but could also provide a renewable source of energy on a mind-blowing scale.
The Wyoming supervolcano last erupted around 640,000 years ago, making many concerned that it’s due for another big blow-out at any time. To avert disaster, NASA came up with an idea that has two awesome projected outcomes.
Mark Gunn/Flickr
Wyoming’s supervolcano has two magma chambers filled with molten rock, some soft and partially solid and the rest in boiling liquid form. The plan is to freeze the chambers by pumping cool water around them.
Guardian News/YouTube Learn more about the plan in this video:
The first (and some feel the most important) result would be that the molten rock would solidify, much like the rock that formed Devil’s Tower. That would prevent another eruption from occurring.
Holly Hayes/Flickr
Of course, as the magma cools, it would heat up the water, creating a massive amount of steam which could be harnessed and used as a power supply.
Wendy/Flickr For that to happen, a power plant would have to be built, but it’s a realistic idea. Iceland also has a large volcano, and that natural resource provides 13 percent of the country’s energy.
How much energy might that be? It’s been calculated that the Wyoming supervolcano could power all of the Earth two times over.
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Flickr Plus, the steam would be a renewable source of energy.
Pair that with the never-ending wind in the Cowboy State, and we could potentially become the energy supplier for the entire country.
Daniel Hoherd/Flickr Wyoming already exports wind energy to Colorado, Oregon, and Utah.
Producing renewable energy is just a side effect of NASA’s plan. The main focus is to prevent an eruption that could potentially affect the entire planet, but that threat isn’t as imminent as some think. In case you missed our article outlining the actual danger level, you can read it here.
Mark Gunn/Flickr
Guardian News/YouTube
Learn more about the plan in this video:
Holly Hayes/Flickr
Wendy/Flickr
For that to happen, a power plant would have to be built, but it’s a realistic idea. Iceland also has a large volcano, and that natural resource provides 13 percent of the country’s energy.
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Flickr
Plus, the steam would be a renewable source of energy.
Daniel Hoherd/Flickr
Wyoming already exports wind energy to Colorado, Oregon, and Utah.
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