Supervolcano: The Catastrophic Event That Changed the Course of Human History: Could Yellowstone Be Next
Approximately 75,000 years ago, an event occurred that almost wiped out human life. According to a stunning new theory, this singular event may also have completely altered the genetic evolution of humankind. It was an event that released 3,000 times the energy of Mount St. Helens. That event was the eruption of the Toba supervolcano in Sumatra, Indonesia-the largest volcanic eruption in two million years. So devastating was the eruption and the sheer amount of ash it released into the...
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Approximately 75,000 years ago, an event occurred that almost wiped out human life. According to a stunning new theory, this singular event may also have completely altered the genetic evolution of humankind. It was an event that released 3,000 times the energy of Mount St. Helens. That event was the eruption of the Toba supervolcano in Sumatra, Indonesia-the largest volcanic eruption in two million years. So devastating was the eruption and the sheer amount of ash it released into the atmosphere, it altered the global climate for years, creating a mini Ice Age that obliterated massive amounts of plant, animal, and human life. Now a fascinating theory called the "Toba Catastrophe Theory" claims this earth-shattering event also caused a severe "population bottleneck" in humans, leading to the eventual extinction of all other branches of our species with the exception of one...the branch that survived Toba and became modern humans.The book Supervolcano will explore: What supervolcanos are, where they are found, and why they are so deadly to life on Earth. How genetic, geological, and computer studies show that each human today is related to a survivor of Toba. How we can prepare for the next supervolcano, which could be right here in our own backyard-Yellowstone National Park or Long Valley, California-and why an eruption at either location could be as catastrophic for humanity as Toba.
Introduction: The Dragon Sleeps 11SupervolcanoMountains of Fire 19Wrath of the Gods: Volcanoes in Myth and Religion 39Aftereffects of Volcanoes 59Supervolcanoes 93TobaCataclysm! 111Bottleneck: A New Evolution 129Causes of Mass Extinctions: Supervolcanoes Plus 151The Psychology of Survival: Mass Trauma and Cellular Memory 167Apocalypse!The Lurking Mega-Disaster 189The Night the Lights Went Out in Vegas: Scenario of a Supereruption 207Are We Prepared? 229Conclusion: Why Toba Matters 245Glossary 251Bibliography 261Resources 273Index 277About the Authors 285
