One of America’s most stunning national parks, Yellowstone, has recently become the subject of intense speculation that the supervolcano lying beneath its breathtaking beauty could soon erupt.
Videos showing herds of animals fleeing the park have sparked fears of an imminent volcanic eruption, leading many to wonder if the creatures know something that humans do not.
Yellowstone National Park is home to a vast array of free-roaming animal life, hundreds of bird species flying overhead, and numerous fish species inhabiting its rivers. The park attracts visitors from around the world, eager to catch a glimpse of its remarkable inhabitants.
However, recent unusual animal behaviour has raised eyebrows among visitors, with creatures appearing to hastily flee the area. This has led to speculation that the park’s infamous supervolcano could be on the brink of erupting, possibly sending an apocalyptic ash plume into the atmosphere.
One TikTok user noted that buffalo were ‘leaving Yellowstone in huge numbers’, while another commented that ‘a major eruption of the Yellowstone volcano is anticipated’. Footage from the park seems to show animals, including bison, elks, and bears, leaving en masse, seemingly driven by an unknown force.
Despite the panic, officials have dismissed these claims as misinformation spread via social media, reports MirrorUS.
This had led to much speculation the massive volcano under the Yellowstone national park could be set to erupt – something that hasn’t happened for thousands of years, but would be catastrophic.
It comes as reports of geological changes at Yellowstone National Park are recorded. In one of the park’s basins, a hole has formed creating a thermal blue water spring.
The new hole is a result of a hydrothermal explosion, according to the United States Geological Survey – and would come about due to pressure changes that have changed liquid water to steam.
Yellowstone National Park’s extensive underground volcanic system includes a large magma chamber, the area is thoroughly monitored by the United States Geological Survey along with the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory.
Experts suggest that animals leaving the park in their droves are simply following their seasonal migration pattern, but not everyone is convinced.
Other theories suggest mass human activity in the area could be making the animals move away. A Facebook video claims to show a group of mountain lions fleeing Yellowstone – and the national park is only home to about 40 of these wild cats.
However, the National Park Service has squashed the theory that animals are fleeing the park. a spokesperson said “wildlife is not leaving Yellowstone National Park in large numbers” adding that the rumours circulating on social media are inaccurate and untrue.