Reports on a 3.6 magnitude earthquake that occurred southeastern Idaho

Reports on a 3.6 magnitude earthquake that occurred southeastern Idaho, near the town of Soda Springs, which is approximately 126 miles from the Yellowstone supervolcano's caldera.

The earthquake's depth was relatively shallow, at just over 10 miles beneath the surface, which can make tremors feel stronger. While the quake itself is unlikely to cause significant damage, the proximity to the supervolcano has raised concerns and prompted discussions about the potential for future volcanic activity.

Yellowstone is known for its frequent but usually small earthquakes, with 1,500 to 2,000 occurring each year, most of which are under 2.0 on the Richter scale. The last major eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano was approximately 640,000 years ago, leading some to speculate that another eruption could be overdue. The supervolcano's magma chamber is vast, extending 55 miles by 30 miles and reaching depths of up to 10 miles beneath the surface.

The article also mentions a study that found the magma chamber is closer to the surface than previously thought, at around 2.3 miles down. Additionally, there have been recent observations of new volcanic vents opening up in the Norris Geyser Basin, which is part of the Yellowstone volcanic system. However, the USGS emphasizes that while the supervolcano has experienced three major eruptions in the past, the average time between these eruptions is roughly 725,000 years, making predictions based on this limited data set unreliable.

The Yellowstone supervolcano has the potential to produce a category eight eruption, which would be over 100 times more powerful than the 1883 Krakatoa eruption. The article does not provide any new information suggesting an imminent eruption but does highlight the ongoing monitoring and study of the area by the USGS and other scientists. Source idea by Dailymail.