Tapping the geothermal energy is one possibility. I propose that there is more which can and should be done.
The last three major eruptions of the Yellowstone hot spot were at 640,000, 1.3 million, and 2.1 million years ago. Based on the past intervals, another major eruption might not be far off, at least in geologic terms. And when it blows, it will indeed likely be very large. The Yellowstone hot spot has flattened wide areas of mountains across southern Idaho, leaving the broad Snake River Plain in its wake.
My concern is for some of this country's original native residents, namely the grizzly bears. The contiguous 48 states have confined all of their population of grizzlies immediately on top of this ticking time bomb, and in some nearby regions in Montana and Idaho. If this thing explodes (actually more like when; it's a given that it's going to explode sooner or later), the 48's entire population of grizzlies will likely be among the first to die; due to this involuntary confinement. I therefore request that this population of grizzlies be allowed complete freedom to migrate and repopulate their former range throughout the U.S., so that they will have at least a fighting chance for survival in the event of a major eruption. Easy passage for grizzlies to California should especially be favored; as it may be among the lesser impacted regions in the short term. Such a repopulation would also reduce some of the hypocrisy of the California state flag, which features the California grizzly bear; long ago driven to extinction in that state. For the good of both species, humans and grizzly bears should learn to coexist in peace, without the latter being held in confinement in a potentially dangerous location.
