Geoelectric and Seismic Images of Yellowstone Plume (IMAGE)
Caption
This illustration compares two views of the volcanic plume that feeds the supervolcano at Yellowstone National Park. The "geoelectric" image on the left is a new one based on variations in electrical conductivity of rock and fluids underground. It shows the plume dipping about 40 degrees to the west, and the method can only "see" the plume to a depth of about 200 miles. The more conventional seismic image on the right was made using earthquake waves. The seismic image shows the volcanic plume dipping 60 degrees to the west-northwest and the plume reaches a depth of at least 410 miles (this image doesn't go that deep). Together, the two images suggest then Yellowstone hotspot plume is bigger than had been thought based in the seismic image alone.
Credit
University of Utah.
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