What is a supervolcano?
Q: What is a supervolcano?
A: A supervolcano is a volcano that can make a volcanic eruption where the things being thrown out of the volcano have a volume bigger than 1,000 km3 (240 cu mi).
Q: What is the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of a supervolcano eruption?
A: The Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of a supervolcano eruption is 8.
Q: What is the definition of supervolcanoes?
A: Supervolcanoes are volcanoes that have volcanic eruptions with a volume bigger than 100 km3 (24 cu mi), which is a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 7.
Q: How does a supervolcano occur?
A: Supervolcanoes can occur when magma in the Earth rises into the crust from a hotspot, but can not break through the crust. More and more pressure builds up in a large and growing magma pool until the crust can no longer take the pressure.
Q: How do supervolcanic eruptions usually affect the surrounding areas?
A: Supervolcanic eruptions usually cover very big areas with lava and volcanic ash.
Q: Can supervolcanic eruptions cause a long-lasting change to weather?
A: Yes, supervolcanic eruptions can cause a long-lasting change to weather (such as the triggering of a small ice age).
Q: Can supervolcanic eruptions make species extinct?
A: Yes, supervolcanic eruptions can cause enough of a change in weather to possibly make species extinct.
