Home / Science / AI Uncovers 86,000 Hidden Quakes Under Yellowstone
AI Uncovers 86,000 Hidden Quakes Under Yellowstone
3 Dec
Summary
- AI identified 86,000 previously undetected earthquakes.
- Most hidden quakes were water/steam-driven swarms.
- AI breakthrough can help predict future volcanic dangers.
Tens of thousands of previously undetected earthquakes beneath Yellowstone's supervolcano have been revealed through the use of artificial intelligence. An international research team employed AI to analyze 15 years of seismic recordings, discovering approximately 86,000 tiny tremors that human experts had missed. This finding represents a tenfold increase in the known seismic activity of the region.
The AI analysis showed that over half of these newly discovered earthquakes occurred in interconnected groups known as swarms. These swarms were predominantly driven by hot underground water and steam moving through geological fissures, rather than by rising lava. This distinction is vital for understanding the volcano's current state, with no indications of an imminent eruption.
This AI-powered seismic analysis marks a significant advancement, creating a detailed 'fingerprint' of Yellowstone's normal activity. Scientists anticipate this methodology will be critical for detecting subtle, early warning signs of danger at other volcanoes and fault lines worldwide, potentially improving prediction and preparedness for natural disasters.
