The Yellowstone Magma Circulation System and the Driving Mechanism Behind Plate Tectonics

THE YELLOWSTONE MAGMA CIRCULATION SYSTEM

AND THE DRIVING MECHANISM BEHIND PLATE TECTONICS

BY MICHAEL HAYS

This article explains how the Yellowstone hotspot sends out a network of magma flows, or to describe the phenomena in another manner, a network of conduits between the upper asthenosphere (a somewhat plastic layer beneath the crust) and the lithosphere (the crust). This article ultimately ends up explaining how plate tectonics works, and how the whole Earth has a circulatory system of magma that would be revealed if it were possible to peel away its lithosphere. I will be able to show that the earth has a circulation system that in many ways resembles arteries under the surface of the crust between the upper asthenosphere and the crust. I will also show what is powering California northward, and the source of magma that supplies all the volcanic activity along the western coast of the continental plate of North America.

This article is also important because it shows there's enough geothermal energy to power nuclear and coal fired sized power plants. It would be a continuous supply that wouldn't get worn down over time. It would eliminate a lot of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. It would eliminate the need for any nuclear or coal power plants too. Most of our energy would literally be “dirt cheap", and even existing power plants could be adapted, or the hardware reused. A number of other nations, notably Japan and Italy, could be powered by geothermal energy. Also, on a bad news note, because it is a continuous phenomena, it means there's an ongoing risk of earthquakes and volcanic activity on a relatively short timeline, whether it be a cinder cone or larger volcano. This is important knowledge when it comes to disaster preparedness, as California is not the only state at risk of large earthquakes. I hope because of this you'll find it important enough to share. I have some images below, and then explain what's going on in the images and maps. 

To begin, the following image shows a rift zone in west Wyoming. The blue arrow overlies its location. I also have the arrow to emphasize the curved pattern which actually is all the way across northern Nevada, along the southern border of Idaho and into west Wyoming. The Yellowstone hotspot, which I assert is a continuously flowing magma vent, has followed this pathway over millions of years. A rift zone is an area where the Earths' crust is spreading, and mid ocean ridges are of a similar form. This western Wyoming rift zone is what I will cite as my main scientific evidence of my theory.

The next image details the area near or under the arrow in diagram. The orange lines represent the mountain ranges that face each other with their layers exposed towards the center of this rift zone. The red lines indicate that the pattern of the topography changes direction throughout the central zone between the two mountain ranges, to a 90° square orientation in some areas. This central region is similar to rifting, or block faulting, but in microcosm relative to say, Nevada. The blue areas indicate areas of volcanic activity. But there are more volcanic areas within this rift zone in varying degrees. The red arrows are there to indicate that an underground flow is taking place between the lithosphere, and the upper asthenosphere. I want to emphasize that this would be an ongoing process and is not a dormant process.

This next image depicts several possible pathways for these outflows from the large central Yellowstone volcano which actually sits atop a large vent which possibly comes up from several hundred miles down below, providing a plumbing or circulatory system that can fuel the multitude of volcanoes and cinder cones throughout the western U.S., and earthquakes, and potential power plants as well. The volcanic activity in the west is in proximity to these lines. This is not an absolutely accurate or complete mapping, as this would require more time and effort. There are other magma circulation systems around the world like this too. The blue arrows depict the pathway the hotpot has travelled over millions of years. The yellow tinted zone is there to highlight the expanded area within the states of Nevada and Utah. This expansion effect is essentially continuing under Utah and Colorado.

This illustration is a graphical depiction of what's taking place with a hot magma flow travelling under the central region of a rift zone. It causes volcanoes along its path. Because it is so hot, the asthenosphere begins to lift around it as well, forcing up the mountain ranges to both sides of the rift zone with molten "rock" of a paste like consistency. Of note is that the asthenosphere and inner layers of the Earth are just barely solid, due to their heat and pressure. The magma flows can carry higher concentrations of metals, as many metals have high coefficients of expansion. The central region of the rift zone also ends up thinning out and sinking, as material gets melted, and as red-orange hot rocks and slab areas of rock break off and get pulled into the flow, which can cause minor earthquakes which are between 1-3.5 magnitude. I could go into greater detail if given more time. but what this indicates is that there is a perpetual flow of hot magma that could supply a large power plant, or actually several. This depiction also is how plate tectonics works. The circulation of heat via these magma flows, and the high energy they carry, is the principle mechanism. Sometimes when a breach occurs, the fluid magma comes to the surface with such force that a lava fountain will occur, shooting several hundred feet into the air. Also, this accounts for the basic linear layout of fissure type volcanoes, and volcanic chains. 

The next image is a side view of what is taking place where the magma actually has a central chamber which then projects outward, producing several volcanoes in a line and also several magma chambers.

This image depicts a subterranean flow that travels up the Gulf of California and along the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada. This would be the magma flow (and culprit) that drives California northward. The flow could emerge out of the Caribbean, or ultimately from the Galapagos hotspot. There is a large, almost circular area of crustal expansion off the southwestern coast of Mexico. It would first travel under southern Mexico, then out to sea off  Puerto Vallarta. There have been earthquakes and volcanoes recently in the area of southern Mexico. This depiction is not meant to be entirely accurate, but an approximation. The line could travel under Death Valley or take a slightly different path further east, or just simply branch in a number of locations. This would be the source of magma for Mammoth Mountain, Mount Shasta, and every volcanic site in proximity to its path, including Mount Bachelor, the Mendocino Fracture Zone, and active volcanoes off the coast of Oregon and Washington.

     This image shows the northwest corner of New Mexico, with a cluster of cinder cones. Perhaps some lava flows, but I haven't been to this area.

This image shows south central Wyoming and north central Colorado. Steamboat Springs is in this area which is famed for its hot springs. It is an area with numerous volcanoes.

This is an area around Dilkon, AZ. which is more than likely inactive.

This area is near Flagstaff, AZ.. It is also the site of the Wupatki National Monument. A cinder cone came up here in 1894, causing the Native American population to (wisely) flee. Fluid lava flows also have emerged from several of these sites. It would not be inactive. A track of volcanic features, accompanied by active faults, extend all the way back to Yellowstone.

These volcanoes are in central Utah, and can be seen from I-15. Fluid lava has emerged from these, which is an important distinction to make from volcanic sites such as Mt. Saint Helens. The fluid lava flows can be seen in satellite images (to be added).

This is a snapshot of an area near St George, UT.. A variety of  volcanic features can be seen around southern Utah. There are volcanoes, cinder cones, rift zones, and fluid lava flows-notably on the topmost surface of the landscape. 

This is the Bend, OR. area, with a multitude of volcanic features. Of important note, is that given the total number of volcanic features around the Western U.S., the statistical probability of these events occurring could be on a timeframe of 100 years or less.

   To conclude, the Earth has a circulation system that is energetic and active. I hope this article will help further human understanding of the planet they live on. Also, I hope it will be utilized to eliminate coal and nuclear power plants, as the energy of these circulation systems could be used globally.
  I was also able to undergo heart surgery, this July, 2015 thanks to the Affordable Health Care Act, recently adopted by the U.S.A.. This is why this article is not the most complete or "flashy". I wanted to just let my country know they have an available source of very inexpensive energy that could be very helpful in many ways. I would appreciate donations to my Fundrazr campaign "Heart Surgery for Mike Hays"  as my heart problem has been a lifelong trial. Here is a link to a video that I did about this subject (a little rough, done prior to the surgery), The Yellowstone Hotspot -Magma Vent, I also have some pottery items at www.westartpottery.com, and Amazon, as any business at this time would be appreciated, and helpful to allow me to work more on this topic.