"I'm a bit more concerned about the big one under Ol' Faithful, though any volcanic system under US citizens is a nightmare waiting to erupt." Yup, 600,000 year "super-volcano' cycle. It's 40,000 years overdue. The last time it erupted, it put six foot of ash all over Nebraska. Hmmmm
Super volcano Toba blew about 75,000 years ago and only 2,000-5,000 humans worldwide survived.
I've been puzzling on that western super stew; i wonder if there's a way to relieve the build up with poking relief holes? If that big one blows, the US would cease to be a nation in the international community ... not to mention the possibility of civilization ceasing to be world-wide.