“Could One Cataclysmic Eruption Obliterate Humanity? Discover the Shocking Aftermath of a Yellowstone Supervolcano Explosion!”

Let’s face it, living in the UK makes volcano eruptions feel about as likely as spotting a unicorn prancing through Piccadilly Circus. I mean, who on this little island worries about the ground beneath their feet blowing up, right? But hang tight, because if that towering giant known as the Yellowstone supervolcano decides to blow its top, the repercussions would ripple far beyond the lush green hills of Britain. Picture this: while we might sip our tea and raise an eyebrow at news of lava flows in the States, our world would suddenly become a stage for some volcanic theatrics! So, what would really happen if Yellowstone erupted? Would we face a light dusting of ash, or would the whole climate do a dramatic turn like an over-the-top soap opera? Spoiler alert: it’s more intense than you might think! Curious about the dramatic consequences of such a geological shake-up? Buckle up and dive in to find out! LEARN MORE.

Let’s be honest, living in the UK, volcanoes erupting aren’t something we find ourselves regularly worrying about.

That kind of thing seems far from our lives on our little island. But I hate to break it to you, if by some chance the Yellowstone supervolcano erupted right now, the entire world would face terrifying consequences.

Yes, we would also be dealt a blow if it went off big time over in the US.

The Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field spans parts of Wyoming and Montana and developed through three volcanic cycles that span two-million years.

The Grand Prismatic Spring at Yellowstone National Park. (Getty Stock)

Before you start panicking at learning this supervolcano eruption is even a thing, its worth knowing the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has not detected any signs of activity that suggest an imminent eruption.

Instead, the most likely explosive event to happen at Yellowstone is a hydrothermal explosion or lava flow, happening every few years.

But it’s always worth knowing the worst-case scenario, you know? If anything, it’s pretty interesting. Primarily of course, parts of the surrounding states of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming closest to it would be affected by pyroclastic flows.

This is a fast-moving current of hot gas and volcanic matter, which would instantly kill any human that comes into contact with it.

Yellowstone sits atop an active volcanic caldera. (George Rose/Getty Images)

Now, while the rest of the world won’t be seeing flow from the volcano rushing by, it’s likely we could see the ash from it.

Within a few days of the eruption, a fine dusting of ash could fall across us in Europe.

But more of the US and those closer to Yellowstone would see a heavier falling of it as the BBC previously explained how ‘inhaled ash forms a cement-like mixture in human lungs’.

The biggest danger is said to be within 1,000km of the blast as the ash falls and spreads but the rest of the world would be likely to experience the consequences.

While the worst of it wouldn’t be suffered by us, ash can cause reduced sunlight, kill crops and vegetation and contaminate water supplies.

Perhaps the main wide-reaching effect of a major Yellowstone eruption would be the change in weather.

As it would inject sulphur gas into the upper atmosphere, it’s believed this would cause climatic cooling.

With red skies in Europe in the days after, sunlight would be scattered for a period.

And experts predict global annual average temperatures would drop by 10 degrees, with colder temperatures potentially lasting six to 10 years.

But again, while it would have a global effect, the likelihood of a super-eruption at Yellowstone in the near-future is very low.