Spontaneous Volcano Phenomenon

Most volcanos are documented and somewhat predictable.  But there is a possibility that a volcano can spontaneously form and suddenly erupt anywhere at any time.  Most volcanos are located at plate boundaries but it’s the divergent plate boundaries that make volcanic formation unpredictable.  Basically, a tectonic plate can weaken and break.  This break forms a new boundary and allows pressurized magma to to escape to the surface where we live.

We need to be careful.

I live in a volcano free zone, so I'm good 👍

Volcano free zone….for now.

The earth’s crust is relatively thin. The thickest (continental) parts are only 20 to 80 km thick.

Just one little crack and it’s all over.

Why are you like this

The explosive power of a volcano is devastating but the aftermath is dangerously destructive too. The gases, ashes, and debris can cause long term lung problems or death. The lava can flow for miles causing wildfires and nothing can stop it.

Unless it's a supervolcano like Yellowstone

Correct. It depends on the scenario. As touched on before, usual cases are relatively predictable. The spontaneous phenomenon would be sudden. It would probably be preceded by an unexpected earthquake. Unexpected because it’s not occurring in already known plate edges.

May 18, 1980!

But it's unlikely to go off in our lifetime

That’s what Harry Truman thought too.

I was glued to the set when it erupted. Killed a lot of people too if I remember right.

It was because it was taken lightly before that everyone was so panicked when it became active again.

I was on Rocky Butte, 75 miles away watching the ash clouds drifting east. Can’t put into words to adequately express my thoughts, feelings, and emotions of that day.