In recent decades, large volcanic eruptions have become more frequent. This gives food for talk that a certain global cataclysm is approaching, which will lead, if not to the total extinction of all life, then, in any case, to a significant reduction in populations.
Volcano
Volcanic formations above cracks or channels in the crust of our planet, through which lava flows, gases and rocks erupt from the bowels of the earth, are named after the ancient god of fire. Most often, a volcano is a mountain formed by eruptions.
Types of volcanoes
There is a division of these formations into extinct, dormant or active. The first ones are destroyed, blurred, not showing any activity. Asleep volcanoes are called, data on eruptions of which are not available, but their shape is preserved, tremors occur in their womb. Active - those that are either erupting in the present, or their activity is known from history, or there is no information, but the volcano emits gases and water.
Depending on what kind of channel theeruptions, they can be fissure or central.
Eruptions
Eruptions are long and short. Long-term ones include those that occur over several years, and sometimes even centuries. Short-term - those that last only a few hours. Large volcanic eruptions, familiar to us from history, are most often short-lived, but extremely powerful in terms of destructive power.
The harbinger is the shaking inside the volcano, unusual sounds, ejected volcanic rock. At the beginning of the process, it is cold, then it is replaced by red-hot debris and lava. On average, gases and various debris rise to a height of up to 5 kilometers. Much stronger explosions are also known: for example, Bezymyannyy threw pieces of rock to a height of about 45 kilometers.
Emissions
Volcanic emissions are found at various distances from the source - up to tens of thousands of kilometers. Depending on the strength of the explosion and the amount of accumulated substances, the volume of debris can reach tens of cubic kilometers. Sometimes there is so much volcanic ash that even in the daytime there is pitch darkness.
Before the lava appears, but after a massive explosion, sometimes an incredibly powerful wall of ash, gas, and rock appears. This is a pyroclastic flow. Its internal temperature ranges from 100 to 800 degrees. The speed can be either 100 km/h or 700.
According to the latest data from researchers, during the eruption of Vesuvius, it was the pyroclastic flow that caused the death of most of the population. It was previously believed that the inhabitants of Pompeii died of suffocation, but X-ray data from the found remains paint a different picture. So, scientists are sure that the lives of the inhabitants of Herculaneum and Stabiae were carried away by a pyroclastic flow, the temperature of which was approaching 800 degrees. Both towns were swept off the face of the earth within a minute, their inhabitants died instantly. Only the fourth pyroclastic flow reached Pompeii, the temperature of which was "only" about 200 degrees. This belief is based on the state of the remains: the villagers were burned to skeletons, while the bodies of the Pompeians were practically intact before they were covered with ashes and flooded with lava.
The pyroclastic flow of the volcano is able to move not only on land, it easily overcomes water barriers. The heavy substances in its mass settle in the liquid, but the gas moves forward with accelerated force, although it loses power and cools. Having passed the water, the pyroclastic flow is able to rise above sea level.
Eruptions of our time
Over the past hundred years, several major earthquakes have occurred, causing changes in weather conditions around the globe. Even the last few decades have brought some more than unpleasant surprises. Thousands, tens of thousands of people die from eruptions, cities are destroyed, hectares of fertile land turn out to be unusable.
Moreover, after especially powerful eruptions, the weather on all continents may change. Volcanic ash particles remain in the atmosphere, reflecting sunlight. The last time the temperature during the year after the eruption was below normal by 3 degrees on the entire planet.
The most powerful eruption of the 20th century occurred in 1911 in the Philippines. Almost one and a half thousand people died, volcanic rock covered more than 2 thousand square kilometers of land. Currently, this volcano is considered one of the most dangerous.
Disaster
Most scientists tend to believe that something much more terrible awaits us in the near future. For many years, experts have been studying Yellowstone. They are not interested in the park, which is interesting for tourists to visit, but in the volcano, which occupies almost its entire area. Its diameter is almost 70 kilometers, which is simply incredible for such formations. In addition, the magma source is not located 100 km from the surface, but only 8-16 km.
According to the calculations of scientists, the Yellowstone explosion will destroy not only America, but also most, if not all, of life on the planet. Pyroclastic flows will carry away everything at a distance of more than a hundred kilometers from the source, ash will cover most of the United States, Canada will be severely affected during the eruption.
Powerful earthquakes will cause huge tsunamis in the Pacific Ocean. These gigantic waves can even reach the central parts of the continents. Megatons of substances that have entered the atmosphere will not allow the sun's rays to reach the surface of the planet, causing a cooling and nuclear winter. According to various forecasts, it will last from 3 to 5 years. During this time will have time to diemost of the plants, animals and people.
Assume that only in the first months of life will lose a third of the world's population. Moreover, there is a high probability of death from a lack of water, since it will be contaminated with poisonous precipitation. After the end of winter, the survivors will be exposed to an incredible greenhouse effect.
The time frame for this cataclysm is not clearly defined. Despite the fact that scientists cannot agree on the timing in which this will happen, naming time intervals from 10 to 75 years (the starting point is modernity), they are all sure that such a powerful eruption will occur. The main question remains: when exactly…
