Scientists have made a big step in their efforts to find the causes for the eruptions of so-called supervolcanoes. Supervolcanoes are capable of eruptions thousands of times larger than normal outpourings. Super-eruptions do not happen often but when they do, they have a devastating impact on Earth's climate and ecology. What the scientists found is that a supervolcano can erupt due to its enormous size alone, reports BBC.
"This is something that, as a species, we will eventually have to deal with. It will happen in future," said Dr Wim Malfait of European Synchrotron Radiation Facility.
"You could compare it to an asteroid impact - the risk at any given time is small, but when it happens the consequences will be catastrophic."
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