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ONE PAGE SYNOPSIS

Supervolcanoes are real events. Over 20 have been recorded in the history of the earth and over half of these happened in the USA. For the last 30 years scientists have been investigating where the next supervolcano could erupt. Their research has revealed that an active supervolcano exists under Yellowstone National Park. We follows these scientists and investigates the vital question- if Yellowstone erupted today, could we survive?

How do we know Yellowstone is a Supervolcano? Naked Science follows geologist Bob Christiansen who was the first person to alert people to the threat lying deep below the ground. We explore Bob Christiansen's realization that Yellowstone was the site of three large super-eruptions. We also explores evidence from archeology revealing the living breathing nature of Yellowstone.

For the first time, Naked Science explores the unthinkable what would happen if Yellowstone erupted? To find out Naked Science travel to London to meet Bill McGuire Professor of Geohazards and Geology, one of the world’s leading experts on supervolcanoes. We explore a future super-eruption step by step. Starting with day 1 and working out to the effects over 2 years to see what the effects would be.

What happens during a super-eruption?

We travel to Montserrat in the Caribbean to understand what destructive pyroclastic flows are capable of. We interview one of the very few people in the world who has been caught in a pyroclastic flow and survived. How would pyroclastic flows from a Yellowstone eruption compare?

What is the most deadly part of a super-eruption?

We reveal just how deadly the ash from a super-eruption can be by traveling to Nebraska with Mike Voorheis. But what about the long term effects? Naked Science has learnt of DNA evidence that reveals that the last supervolcano eruption led to the virtual extinction of the human race.

What warning would there be if Yellowstone is about to erupt?

We follow Jake Lowenstern who has one of the most responsible jobs in the USA. He’s in charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. When Yellowstone erupts, it’s his job to see it coming. But what are the signs which would suggest that an eruption is imminent?

So could we stop Yellowstone erupting?

It has been suggested that there are ways to prevent a supervolcano erupting. Would drilling into the magma chamber relieve some of the pressure? We explore some of these theories.

ASPECT RATIO 4.3
MAIN SOUNDTRACK English Stereo
DISC FORMAT DVD 5
REGION 1 NTSC
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
NOTE Not available for shipment outside the USA

Runtime: 54 minutes