6 volcanoes that could shut down the world

A worrying look at six volcanoes that could have devastating impacts on the world and civilisation.

Here is a taster from the article by the Week.:-

YELLOWSTONE "SUPERVOLCANO" (U.S.)


Last erupted: 640,000 years ago

Effects of a major eruption: When the Yellowstone Caldera, or "supervolcano," in Yellowstone National erupts again, it will render a huge swath of North America, from Vancouver to Oklahoma City, uninhabitable. It would have incalculable human and economic consequences. The last eruption of similar magnitude — 73,000 years ago in Sumatra — plunged the entire planet into a decade-long volcanic winter and nearly wiped out the human race.

Likelihood: Geologists see signs that it could be preparing for another major blowout soon, although "soon" could mean thousands of years.
 
Volcanic Explosive Index (VEI)of 7
 
 

Source http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/supervolcano/under/zooms/zoom_05.html

Sources @

Discovery Channel http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/supervolcano/under/zooms/zoom_05.html

The Week  http://theweek.com/article/index/202164/6_volcanoes_that_could_shut_down_the_world