YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — A recent study from the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory explores the possibility of a link between the retreat of glaciers and volcanic eruptions in Yellowstone National Park (YNP). Research hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Shaul Hurwitz found that there isn’t much evidence to suggest that major eruptions coincided with deglaciation.

Glacial Periods and Volcanic Eruptions

Scientists compared the time periods of YNP volcanic eruptions with evidence collected through radiometric dating, luminescence dating, and records from deep-sea sediment cores and ancient ice cores. The study found that deglaciation periods are not correlated with volcanism, as the Bull Lake glacial period is relatively precise.

While the retreat of glaciers doesn’t appear to have triggered volcanic eruptions, there was some volcanic activity within 1,000 years of an ice sheet disappearing. However, as Hurwitz notes, ‘correlation does not imply causation.’ Just because two things are related in time doesn’t mean one causes the other.

Researchers do believe that the loss of the massive ice load may have reduced pressure on Yellowstone’s hydrothermal system, allowing groundwater to boil more readily and increasing the likelihood of explosive steam-driven events.

Contrasting Findings with Iceland

The findings in Yellowstone are different from those in Iceland, where scientists have found evidence that deglaciation contributed to an increase in volcanic eruptions by reducing pressure on the crust and promoting magma generation.

For Yellowstone, however, the evidence indicates that melting glaciers were more likely to influence its hydrothermal system — so hot water, steam, and underground plumbing — than its volcanic activity.

Original reporting: Buckrail (Jackson WY) — read the source article.