Mysterious ‘gash’ forms on Wyoming ranch, unleashing fears of hidden volcanoes and earthquakes

[cigaretteman]

When a pair of hunting guides noticed a crack in the ground in a remote ranch of central Wyoming last month, they didn’t think much of it.

When they returned to the location in the Bighorn Mountains a few weeks later, they were shocked by what they found, according to NBC Affiliate KUSA.

“There it was, this huge slide or crack or whatever it is,” Sy Gilliland, owner of SNS Outfitter & Guides, which offers guided elk, antelope, deer, moose and bear hunts, told KUSA. “I don’t really think anyone knows what happened out there, all of a sudden it was just there. I think the reason it’s so fascinating is it’s so big. And it doesn’t make any sense, where it happened it’s just like the ground opened up, and the size of it is just huge

How huge?

About 50 yards wide and the length of six football fields, SNS reported on its Facebook page. Two posts about the crack generated widespread curiosity and were shared nearly 10,000 times.

According to the SNS, locals have been referring to the newly formed trench as “the gash.” Others simply call it “the crack.” Photos from the crevasse reveal steep cliffs, massive earthen towers and large boulders strewn across the bottom.

The gash’s size was impressive, but so was the speed at which it formed. Social media users speculated that the formation represented an impending volcanic eruption or an earthquake, but experts were quick to allay their fears.

On its Facebook page last week, SNS provided an update about what might have caused the ground to split open:

Since so many people have commented and asked questions, we wanted to post an update with a little more information. An engineer from Riverton, WY came out to shed a little light on this giant crack in the earth. Apparently, a wet spring lubricated across a cap rock. Then, a small spring on either side caused the bottom to slide out. He estimated 15 to 20 million yards of movement. By range finder, an estimate is 750 yards long and about 50 yards wide.

“Amazing what Mother Nature can do and is still doing,” one Facebook user commented.

“Holy mackerel…,” another added.

“A number of things trigger them, moisture in the subsurface which causes weakness in soil or geology, and any process that would weaken the bedrock or unstabilize it somehow,” Seth Wittke, Wyoming Geological Survey’s manager of groundwater and geologic hazards and mapping, told the Powell Tribune.

After studying the gash from afar, WGS public information specialist Chamois Andersen, offered Tribune readers some advice about the unstable formation as it continues to settle: Do not approach it.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...ng-fears-of-hidden-volcanoes-and-earthquakes/

 

[N_fuego]

 

[markfromj]

When a pair of hunting guides noticed a crack...Apparently, a wet spring lubricated across a cap rock. Then, a small spring on either side caused the bottom to slide out.

This sounds like geo-porn.

 

[tarheelbybirth]

After studying the gash from afar, WGS public information specialist Chamois Andersen, offered Tribune readers some advice about the unstable formation as it continues to settle: Do not approach it.

I'm sure that's going to work.

 

[ghost80]

The mysterious 'gash' which formed in Wyoming does not concern me nearly as much as the mysterious 'gash' trying to form in Washington DC.

 

[naturalmwa]

This is why I avoid the gash.

 

[Tom Paris]

 

[The Tradition]

This is why I avoid the gash.

boo.

 

[stillh8unlv]

Joy Behar isn't vacationing in Wyoming is she?

 

[naturalmwa]

boo.

You need more competition?

 

[Herkmeister]

I have seen many a gash, but none this big. I find myself strangely aroused.

 

[Herkmeister]

You need more competition?

I thought it was funny as hell. But then gash has been part of my vocabulary since 5th grade.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Whew. Just released some of the pressure in the Yellowstone caldera. Probably delayed the supervolcano by a few months. OTOH, it probably means it's coming in our lifetime.

 

[naturalmwa]

Whew. Just released some of the pressure in the Yellowstone caldera. Probably delayed the supervolcano by a few months. OTOH, it probably means it's coming in our lifetime.

So F GW? And while we're at it, open marriages and legalized drugs for all. Now there is literally no reason not to vote for free stuff. The Mormons were right, Jesus is coming back in America.

 

[Herkmeister]

How big is a gash before it becomes a canyon? Or does it become a barranca first.

 

[Herkmeister]

With gashes, is there a minora and a majora? It's a legit question.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

So F GW? And while we're at it, open marriages and legalized drugs for all. Now there is literally no reason not to vote for free stuff. The Mormons were right, Jesus is coming back in America.

Actually there are interesting things to think about here.

Does global warming increase the likelihood of volcanoes?

Would a supervolcano cool the planet enough so that we could get in front of global warming?

Would the economic disaster be great enough to significantly slow CO2 release?

Even if a supervolcano did interdict global warming, are we still screwed because of ocean acidification?

Probably some other questions, but those are the ones that pop to mind.

 

[naturalmwa]

Actually there are interesting things to think about here.

Does global warming increase the likelihood of volcanoes?

Would a supervolcano cool the planet enough so that we could get in front of global warming?

Would the economic disaster be great enough to significantly slow CO2 release?

Even if a supervolcano did interdict global warming, are we still screwed because of ocean acidification?

Probably some other questions, but those are the ones that pop to mind.

Oddly those aren't the questions foremost on my mind if America is about to explode.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Oddly those aren't the questions foremost on my mind if America is about to explode.

Just stay clear of the dangerous parts. These maps may help.

 

[Herkmeister]

Just stay clear of the dangerous parts. These maps may help.

So I'm gonna start digging an ash hole now.

 

[ghost80]

Actually there are interesting things to think about here.

Does global warming increase the likelihood of volcanoes?

Would a supervolcano cool the planet enough so that we could get in front of global warming?

Would the economic disaster be great enough to significantly slow CO2 release?

Even if a supervolcano did interdict global warming, are we still screwed because of ocean acidification?

Probably some other questions, but those are the ones that pop to mind.

Yeah.....howabout we return this thread to talking about 'gashes'?

 

[Hawgk]

This sounds like geo-porn.

It appears to be hung like a horst.

 

[naturalmwa]

Yeah.....howabout we return this thread to talking about 'gashes'?

From gashes to ashes we all fall down.

 

[Joes Place]

Pshhhhhh....

That's no volcano.

It's Satan, getting prepped for when the Seventh Seal is opened. The SCOTUS gay marriage ruling was only number six....

 

[Herkmeister]

From gashes to ashes we all fall down.

Hmmmmmm Gash rhymes with Ash

 

[Herkmeister]

You can't spell GASH without ASH

 

[BioHawk]

Actually there are interesting things to think about here.

Does global warming increase the likelihood of volcanoes?

Would a supervolcano cool the planet enough so that we could get in front of global warming?

Would the economic disaster be great enough to significantly slow CO2 release?

Even if a supervolcano did interdict global warming, are we still screwed because of ocean acidification?

Probably some other questions, but those are the ones that pop to mind.

1. No
2. Yes
3. Probably. Although the decrease in the human population would have a much greater affect on CO2 emissions.
4. Hard to say but probably not.

 

[BioHawk]

Pshhhhhh....

That's no volcano.

It's Satan, getting prepped for when the Seventh Seal is opened. The SCOTUS gay marriage ruling was only number six....

So what's the seventh. Republican President who comes out while he's in office?

 

[Herkmeister]

So what's the seventh. Republican President who comes out while he's in office?

Hey, Lindsay Graham is still in this thing. It's not that funny!!

 

[TJ8869]

This is why I avoid the gash.

The headline in the linked article refers to it as a huge crack. I believe that's more familiar territory for you, yes?

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Actually there are interesting things to think about here.

Does global warming increase the likelihood of volcanoes?

Would a supervolcano cool the planet enough so that we could get in front of global warming?

Would the economic disaster be great enough to significantly slow CO2 release?

Even if a supervolcano did interdict global warming, are we still screwed because of ocean acidification?

Probably some other questions, but those are the ones that pop to mind.

1. No
2. Yes
3. Probably. Although the decrease in the human population would have a much greater affect on CO2 emissions.
4. Hard to say but probably not.

As usual, I think you are too optimistic.

The correct answers are more likely to be:

1. Probably only a small amount, but a small amount may be enough to increase volcanic activity a little around the world. Depends on how "close to the edge" a volcanic area is.

2. It would definitely cool the planet but unless it produced multiple years of volcano winter, it would probably only pause the current trends. But see #3.

3. Economic activity in the US would be seriously impacted, of course. And that might kick the world into a recession or worse. Or it could result in economies everywhere cranking up to address the disaster. Hard to know. The combination of volcano winter and an economic downturn together might be enough to let us turn the corner on global warming - but only if there is the political will do do so. So probably not. Then again, if the event resulted in a US government that used rather than rejected science, we could make progress.

4. Since there's no reason to think the release of CO2 outside the worst-affected areas in the US would decrease, it's probably safe to think that acidification would continue. But the sulfur and other matter spewn by the volcano would have an impact. My high school chemistry doesn't equip me to evaluate that impact.

 

[BioHawk]

As usual, I think you are too optimistic.

The correct answers are more likely to be:

1. Probably only a small amount, but a small amount may be enough to increase volcanic activity a little around the world. Depends on how "close to the edge" a volcanic area is.

2. It would definitely cool the planet but unless it produced multiple years of volcano winter, it would probably only pause the current trends. But see #3.

3. Economic activity in the US would be seriously impacted, of course. And that might kick the world into a recession or worse. Or it could result in economies everywhere cranking up to address the disaster. Hard to know. The combination of volcano winter and an economic downturn together might be enough to let us turn the corner on global warming - but only if there is the political will do do so. So probably not. Then again, if the event resulted in a US government that used rather than rejected science, we could make progress.

4. Since there's no reason to think the release of CO2 outside the worst-affected areas in the US would decrease, it's probably safe to think that acidification would continue. But the sulfur and other matter spewn by the volcano would have an impact. My high school chemistry doesn't equip me to evaluate that impact.

Global warming and volcanic activity are completely unrelated processes. It doesn't matter how hot or cold the Earth is, plate tectonics are going to do what plate tectonics are going to do. It would be like saying that the number of comets around the sun affects the number of sun spots we see. One does not influence the other.

As for the others, I think you underestimate exactly how devastating a supervolcanic eruption would be. It would be a civilization changing event. We are talking a new ice age because of decreased energy received from the sun. Volcanic dust would create a nuclear winter of sorts that would last decades. Our grandchildren might live long enough to see a real turn for increased global temperatures. The effects on the economy would be the least of our concerns. Here in the U.S., it would kill hundreds of thousands in just the first few weeks. Who knows how bad it would get once the food starts to run out. World wide, it will cause mass famine in the first year or so as crops fail all over the planet.

Humans will survive it, but the world will look very different when it is all said and done.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Global warming and volcanic activity are completely unrelated processes. It doesn't matter how hot or cold the Earth is, plate tectonics are going to do what plate tectonics are going to do. It would be like saying that the number of comets around the sun affects the number of sun spots we see. One does not influence the other.

Actually, a small but important part of volcanic activity involves the interaction between hot magma and subterranean H2O. It is absolutely a temperature-related phenomenon. Sure, at first blush it seems silly to think that a small increase in atmospheric temperature could possibly affect or nudge a dramatic process below the surface but when you think that hotter atmospheric temps prevent release of subterranean heat, it seems somewhat more plausible. Like the connection between fracking and earthquakes - which was originally thought to be silly but is now gaining acceptance - this isn't as far-fetched as it first seems. Obviously I'm not suggesting that global warming somehow supplants the tectonic processes. But as one factor that can influence the tipping point in the volcanic process, it's not irrelevant.

 

[The Tradition]

Okay, I'm adding "increased volcanic activity" to the list:

http://www.numberwatch.co.uk/warmlist.htm

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

As for the others, I think you underestimate exactly how devastating a supervolcanic eruption would be. It would be a civilization changing event. We are talking a new ice age because of decreased energy received from the sun. Volcanic dust would create a nuclear winter of sorts that would last decades. Our grandchildren might live long enough to see a real turn for increased global temperatures. The effects on the economy would be the least of our concerns. Here in the U.S., it would kill hundreds of thousands in just the first few weeks. Who knows how bad it would get once the food starts to run out. World wide, it will cause mass famine in the first year or so as crops fail all over the planet.

Humans will survive it, but the world will look very different when it is all said and done.

This is why I divided my questions that way. Unlike previous similar events, we have the technology to deal with a brief bout of volcanic winter. IF we tip into a new ice age, then all bets are off. But we actually have the tech to avert that if the supervolcano isn't too horrific. Or at list I think we do.

After all, we know exactly how to heat the planet. CO2. And under a blanket of sulfur-bearing clouds, we would be burning fossil fuels like crazy. One big argument for not using all our fossil reserves in today's world (other than the obvious one) is to save some for exactly such purposes.

It might not be enough, even so, because many would still die. Billions? And that CO2 infusion would still accelerate the acidification of the oceans. Between cloud cover and acidification, we would see a further acceleration of species loss which, among other things, would dramatically affect the food chain. But again, we have the know-how - should we choose to use it.

If, on the other hand, we let business as usual reign, we are toast. This is simply not the time to let the market handle it. What will be needed will make the US effort to mobilize war production in WWII look easy. Doubly hard considering that much of the US manufacturing belt will be hard hit. No time for science deniers or laissez faire economists.

 

[BioHawk]

I don't think we have the technology to react fast enough to something like this, not to mention all the collateral damage we would cause trying to fix it with methods not properly researched or tested. Our technology would be better suited to helping us survive in the new environment rather than trying to change the environment back. Who know, finally being forced to figure out how to grow food efficiently in hydroponic farms might provide the technology to help colonize other worlds.

 

[wyohawk]

BAU up there. Prob just part of the ongoing effort to dissuade greenies (Coloradans) from moving up there and bringing their sprawl.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

I don't think we have the technology to react fast enough to something like this, not to mention all the collateral damage we would cause trying to fix it with methods not properly researched or tested. Our technology would be better suited to helping us survive in the new environment rather than trying to change the environment back. Who know, finally being forced to figure out how to grow food efficiently in hydroponic farms might provide the technology to help colonize other worlds.

If not, and if it's a big one, we're talking a huge die-off across species, including human.

Years ago I read about concepts like using nukes to cause small adjustments in tectonic plate movement, rather than letting a massive pressure build up occur. Haven't heard anything on that topic since then. Nor any thoughts about preemptive strikes on volcanoes. Have you?

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

For anyone who likes this apocalyptic sort of story, I'm currently reading Neal Stephenson's Seveneves. Nothing to do with global warming or volcanoes, but a similarly gripping possible-extinction scenario. I posted a quote from it here:

http://iowa.forums.rivals.com/threads/novel-for-fans-of-the-martian-seveneves.51986/

 

[Joes Place]

Global warming and volcanic activity are completely unrelated processes. It doesn't matter how hot or cold the Earth is, plate tectonics are going to do what plate tectonics are going to do. It would be like saying that the number of comets around the sun affects the number of sun spots we see. One does not influence the other.

Mostly correct - a warming climate is not going to alter plate tectonics in a significant fashion; but it can have an impact.

Melting of polar (Greenland) and Antarctic ice caps is going to alter the mass distribution around the planet. The area around Greenland is expected to have a land-rebound, and actually 'lowered' effective sea levels, because the land lifts up as the weight of the ice falls away. This MAY impact plate tectonics, and could have impacts on faults in the area and perhaps far away.

Secondly, even a 1°C change in atmospheric temperatures is going to 'warm up' the land areas (and oceans), which actually DOES cause the plate to expand very very slightly with the thermal coefficient of expansion. This will increase the stresses at the plates. It won't 'create' any earthquakes where none existed, but could alter the timing of when one occurs.

Likewise, the major deluges we have been getting with jetstream 'blocking' patterns serve to drop LOTS of water, which filters down into the faults, when the rain hits an area with faults. That can lubricate the faults and help trigger a quake; when 'normal' rainfall would have mainly washed off the surface and into streams, the ponds created by major floods has potential to seep down into fault areas.

Still, we are talking on the order of decades or centuries for most of that to occur.