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BBKing · 14-03-2005, 09:08

Been fascinated by this one since reading about it in Bill Bryson's book a couple of years ago - it would affect everybody if it went off, since the USA would be split in half, large amounts of grain growing areas in North America (including Canada) would be out of commission for some years, global temperatures would drop rather a lot (which would put an end to global warming I suppose). Aircraft worldwide would be grounded for a while - flying through volcanic ash is guaranteed to give you a painful time.

As far as we're concerned, the EU would have to scrap all the deals to keep land out of agriculture, we'd have to put a lot of effort into growing way more food and probably donate a lot to the US and Canada (who'd have to get used to a rather healthier diet with fewer calories in). We'd need ships to get it over there and a lot of effort to clear roads to the centre of the country (bearing in mind that bridges will be down due to weight of ash, which is effectively like a thick layer of concrete if it becomes wet).

I think we'd survive all right, but the geopolitical impact of the USA being wiped off the map for 20 years or so would be frightening - I can imagine Osama and co. jumping for joy and taking it as a sign of God's blessing or some such rot.

14-03-2005, 09:08	#5
BBKing R.I.P. Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: London Services: 20Mb VM CM, Virgin TV Posts: 5,983	Re: Supervolcano Been fascinated by this one since reading about it in Bill Bryson's book a couple of years ago - it would affect everybody if it went off, since the USA would be split in half, large amounts of grain growing areas in North America (including Canada) would be out of commission for some years, global temperatures would drop rather a lot (which would put an end to global warming I suppose). Aircraft worldwide would be grounded for a while - flying through volcanic ash is guaranteed to give you a painful time. As far as we're concerned, the EU would have to scrap all the deals to keep land out of agriculture, we'd have to put a lot of effort into growing way more food and probably donate a lot to the US and Canada (who'd have to get used to a rather healthier diet with fewer calories in). We'd need ships to get it over there and a lot of effort to clear roads to the centre of the country (bearing in mind that bridges will be down due to weight of ash, which is effectively like a thick layer of concrete if it becomes wet). I think we'd survive all right, but the geopolitical impact of the USA being wiped off the map for 20 years or so would be frightening - I can imagine Osama and co. jumping for joy and taking it as a sign of God's blessing or some such rot.