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I don't think we dare trigger any eruptions at Yellowstone, ever ever ever. My understanding is that there's a positive feedback loop that kicks in; there's ju
by ScottBurson 9y ago
I don't think we dare trigger any eruptions at Yellowstone, ever ever ever. My understanding is that there's a positive feedback loop that kicks in; there's just no way to know the whole thing won't go up.
But the plan of drilling into the bottom of the magma chamber from the sides sounds like it might be safe enough. The pressure is much higher there, which ironically is safer because it keeps dissolved gases from coming out of solution, which is what starts the eruption process. That, at least, is my non-expert understanding.
- kobeya 9y agoSo releasing the pressure will cause the dissolved gasses to come out of solution, triggering the actual eruption? Sounds dangerous.
- YokoZar 9y agoThere should be a way to pull energy out of it without risking releasing the current pressure. The hot solid rocks above are pretty good at transferring heat, and you only need to drill part of the way into them. A very small hole can move a lot of energy.
- kobeya 9y agoPoint is that lowering the temperature would cause an eruption if what GP says is true.
- 2OEH8eoCRo 9y agoApparently a drop in pressure causes a chain reaction. When pressure drops all the dissolved gases come out of the magma like bubbles in a shaken up soda. This results in a massive increase in volume.