The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) is monitoring the volcanic activity at Yellowstone around the clock. The observatory is ready to alert the public and advise public safety authorities if scientists see a dramatic change in Yellowstone's "vital signs". (Breining, 2007)
To look at the status of volcanic activity on YVO's web site.
Super Volcano Warning
According to YVO, it is difficult to recognize the warning signs of a super volcano when scientists are not familiar with the signals foreshadowing a large class volcanic eruption. Volcanoes can be unpredictable. Calderas often rumble for decades without causing an eruption of cataclysmic proportions. At what point would scientists know the exact time to inform the public and government? A half dozen states in the United States would have to be evacuated, but where would they go? Even in the threat of danger, people tend to be slow to react to warnings, unless the threat is "soon, salient and certain". If there was enough time, people could be evacuated on a local basis. On a global basis, food could be stockpiled. But since the eruption of Yellowstone is speculative, there really are no strategies to prepare the world for such a catastrophe (Breining, 2007). Sparks (2005) believes that research, improved monitoring of super volcanoes and raising public awareness, would reduce the suffering of millions of people. The Geological Society of London (2005) hopes, with the cooperation of world leaders and governments, to "establish a multidisciplinary Task Force to consider the long term environmental, social, and political consequences of a large magnitude volcanic eruption" (p. 21).
This is what the authorities at Yellowstone say:
(NPS, 2013)
Q: How will the park get the word out if there is an eruption?
A: The park would communicate accurate and timely information to park visitors, park employees, concessioners, surrounding communities, media outlets, and other interested parties through the park's 24-hour Communications Center; news releases; established emergency response programs; and through notification of appropriate interagency, state and local government agencies.
Q: Where would it be safe to be during an eruption?
A: For the most likely type of volcanic eruption in Yellowstone, everywhere would be safe except in the immediate vicinity of the advancing lava flow. In the highly improbable event of a large catastrophic eruption, the greater the distance from the eruptive center, the safer it would be. It is impossible to know the effects of the eruption without guessing at the explosivity of the highly unlikely eruption and the total amount of the material erupted.
Q: Would the public know about a possible eruption?
A: Yes. Scientists continuously monitor volcano activity in Yellowstone and share that information through news releases, web sites, etc. Current real-time-monitoring data are online at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/monitoring.html.
A: The park would communicate accurate and timely information to park visitors, park employees, concessioners, surrounding communities, media outlets, and other interested parties through the park's 24-hour Communications Center; news releases; established emergency response programs; and through notification of appropriate interagency, state and local government agencies.
Q: Where would it be safe to be during an eruption?
A: For the most likely type of volcanic eruption in Yellowstone, everywhere would be safe except in the immediate vicinity of the advancing lava flow. In the highly improbable event of a large catastrophic eruption, the greater the distance from the eruptive center, the safer it would be. It is impossible to know the effects of the eruption without guessing at the explosivity of the highly unlikely eruption and the total amount of the material erupted.
Q: Would the public know about a possible eruption?
A: Yes. Scientists continuously monitor volcano activity in Yellowstone and share that information through news releases, web sites, etc. Current real-time-monitoring data are online at http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/yvo/monitoring.html.
What Mr. Moose says:
Well..., looks like Yellowstone will blow...just don't know when...or depending on who you talk to...how bad it will be! Come visit me at Yellowstone at your own risk. If the sirens go off, better get out quick or you won't be able to tell anybody a thing about your vacation!