7 p.m. in the Emert Auditorium (Room 130) of the Eccles Science Learning Center on the USU campus. (For directions, click here.)

"Yellowstone Supervolcano: Myths and Realities"

Don’t bother dragging out the concrete freeway barriers, as actors Tommy Lee Jones and Anne Heche did in 1997’s action thriller, Volcano, in their frenzied attempt to stop the raging monster’s lava flow.

The “Coast is Toast” drama, depicting a giant volcanic eruption in downtown Los Angeles, has enough factual errors to make scientists cringe, but the potential of the Yellowstone supervolcano to cause widespread destruction is no joke, says University of Utah geologist Jamie Farrell.

"Yes, the Yellowstone region is active but Hollywood's depiction and the reality of what could happen are quite different," says Farrell, a 2001 graduate of Utah State University. "We need to sort through what we know and what we don't know."

Farrell, featured speaker for Science Unwrapped's March 30 presentation, will discuss how "real" scientists are studying the Yellowstone hotspot, how they collect data and how they come up with predictions about the future of Yellowstone.

Following Farrell's talk, Science Unwrapped attendees are invited to enjoy free refreshments and bring their "mystery rocks" for identification by USU geologists. A variety of other hands-on learning activities for all ages will also be available.

Join us at 7 pm in the Emert Auditorium (Room 130) of the Eccles Science Learning Center!