A current earthquake swarm in Yellowstone caldera reactivated an ancient fault formed during the last supervolcano eruption 631,000 years ago.
Since December 1, an earthquake swarm is hitting beneath the eastern part of Yellowstone Lake.
This high seismic activity occurs along an ancient fault that formed when the supervolcano last erupted 631,000 years ago.
Could it signal the reactivation of that boundary fault?
Why is this Yellowstone swarm so interesting?
Although the current swarm looks very impressive, it is pale in comparison to one of the most famous seismic series to have happened since the formation of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, the 2008–2009 Yellowstone Lake swarm.
Comparison between the Yellowstone Lake earthquake swarm of December 2020 and the Yellowstone Lake earthquake swarm 2008-2009. Map via USGS
The seismic series is interesting as it is slightly larger than the average swarm in terms of numbers of earthquakes.
It is known that the real risk at Yellowstone isn’t a supereruption but a powerful earthquake… And it is known that such ‘Big Ones’ can be initiated by enhanced seismic activity.
Wake Up ETN 
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