The supervolcano that lies beneath Yellowstone National Park in the US is far larger than was previously thought. A study shows that the magma chamber is about 2.5 times bigger than earlier estimates suggested.

A team found the cavern stretches for more than 90km (55 miles) and contains 200-600 cubic km of molten rock.

The last major eruption, which occurred 640,000 years ago, sent ash across the whole of North America, affecting the planet’s climate.

For those who hadn’t heard of the Yellowstone Supervolcano, it’s well-worth reading up on, albeit a bit terrifying to contemplate. If it were to blow today, the results would be exceeded only by the largest catastrophes in Earth’s history such as the impact that wiped out all non-avian dinosaurs.

Via BBC News.