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Explosive super-eruptions from large-volume, shallow magma systems lead to enormous and devastating pyroclastic flows, the formation of gigantic collapse calderas, and deposition of volcanic ash over continent-sized areas. Recognition that future eruptions from these “supervolcanoes” will undoubtedly have severe impacts on society—and perhaps on life itself—has led to recent public and media interest. Should we be concerned about an imminent super-eruption? The answer to this question requires an understanding of past eruption events. In this issue, geoscientists investigating ancient supervolcanoes provide insight into the processes and the time required to generate large volumes of eruptible magma, the monitoring of a youthful system, and super-eruption processes and consequences.

PDF Archive for February 2008, Volume 4, Number 1

Table of Contents

Articles

• Supervolcanoes and Their Explosive Supereruptions by Calvin F. Miller and David A. Wark
• The Magma Reservoirs That Feed Supereruptions by Olivier Bachmann and George Bergantz
• Supervolcanoes and Metallic Ore Deposits by David A. John
• How Long Does It Take to Supersize an Eruption? by Mary R. Reid
• Supereruptions and Supervolcanoes: Processes and Products by Colin J.N. Wilson
• Monitoring a Supervolcano in Repose: Heat and Volatile Flux at the Yellowstone Caldera by Jacob B. Lowenstern and Shaul Hurwitz
• Consequences of Explosive Supereruptions by Stephen Self and Stephen Blake
• "Fizzics" of Bubble Growth in Beer and Champagne by Youxue Zhang and Zhengjiu Xu

Departments

• Participating Societies
• Editorial How Are We Doing?
• From the Editors
• Letter to the Editors
• People in the News
• Triple Point The Future of Elements?
• Meet the Authors
• Book Reviews Introduction to Planetary Science: The Geological Perspective
• Book Reviews Medical Mineralogy and Geochemistry
• Meeting Reports
• Students View Where's the Eggnog?
• Calendar
• Parting Shot Volcanoes at the End of the World