What Happens to Minnesota if the Yellowstone Supervolcano Erupts?

In case you didn't know, Yellowstone National Park sits on top of one of the largest volcanic systems on earth; and while it hasn't erupted in around 640,000 years, experts say it will inevitably occur again at some point in the future.

If the Yellowstone Supervolcano erupts, it will be a devastating event for the entire nation, as geologists consistently give it the highest ranking for possible destruction that a volcano can have.

Considering that, the states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho will see the brunt of the destruction, but what about the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes? Is Minnesota far away enough from Yellowstone to avoid serious damage?

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Will Minnesota Survive if Yellowstone Erupts?

Credit: Canva

If you're looking for the short answer, Minnesota would be greatly impacted if the Supervolcano at Yellowstone erupts. Much of the state would be covered in ash, killing livestock, plants, and a large amount of people as well.

As Travel Well puts it; any state near Yellowstone would see mass devastation:

The nearby states of Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming would all suffer greatly if the Yellowstone volcano erupted in the same way that it did millions of years ago. Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, and Idaho could all see 3 to 4 feet of ash at once.
-Travel Well Website

Other sources point out that the ashfall would be the worst thing to deal with:

The eruption would produce an enormous amount of volcanic ash and debris, which could be carried by wind to South Dakota and surrounding states. Ashfall would have severe consequences for agriculture, infrastructure, and public health. It could damage crops, contaminate water supplies, and disrupt transportation and communication systems.
-Chat GPT Website

As for Minnesota, charts from Travel Well Magazine show that most of the western half of the state would be covered in 30-100 millimeters of ash, while the rest of the state would see between 10-30 millimeters of ash.

Fortunately, the Yellowstone Supervolcano doesn't appear to show any signs that it's close to erupting, at least at the present.

To learn more about the consequences of a Yellowstone eruption, and its wider impact on the U.S., check out the article from Travel Well, here.

Story Sources: Yellowstone National Park Website, U.S. Geological Survey Website, Travel Well Website, Chat GPT

120 Year Old Minnesota Bridge Still In Use And Freaking Amazing

Minnesota known as the land of 10,000 lakes has one of the most unique old bridges still in use today. The Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth Minnesota is what they call a span-drive configuration movable lift bridge.

Gallery Credit: 121 Year Old Duluty Minnesota Lift Bridge-Canva.com

Dives Worth a Drive in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota

Almost every small South Dakota town has a watering hole. It’s where the locals go to kick back a few brews and engage in conversation.

Some of these establishments are located in buildings almost as old as the town itself. There might be a fresh coat of paint on the walls or new vinyl on the booth seats, but the ambiance is still reminiscent of a good ol’ dive.

If you think a "dive" is all about the sketchy clientele, the smell of the Devil’s lettuce, and stale Grain Belt, you’d be wrong. Not every dive has a bad reputation.

What makes a dive, a dive?

A dive has character. Neon beer signs and local memorabilia adorn the walls.

You might find a pool table, dart board, and a few video lottery machines.

The bartender knows the regulars by name and they know what you drink.

Some dives don't even serve food except for bags of chips and pickled eggs that sit in a jar of brine on the bar.

Dives aren't fancy. You might see 70's-style wood panels on the walls and wobbly tables leveled with a folded napkin.

Finally, the bathrooms. The bathrooms in dives are in a class by themselves and could be a whole topic on its own.

There are several small-town dives in our area with friendly faces, cheap booze with a burn, and even really good food! We use the term "dive" in the most affectionate way.

Here are some of the best and why you should go there.

Gallery Credit: Karla Brown

Source: What Happens to Minnesota if the Yellowstone Super Volcano Erupts?