Yellowstone geyser suddenly explodes, raining debris and damaging boardwalk
A hydrothermal explosion inside Yellowstone National Park sent rocks and debris flying Tuesday morning, damaging a pedestrian boardwalk and forcing the closure of the area.
A hydrothermal explosion rocked Yellowstone National Park on Tuesday morning, propelling rocks and debris into the air and causing damage to a nearby boardwalk, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported. The incident, which occurred at approximately 10 a.m. local time, originated from the Biscuit Basin area of the park, as confirmed by the National Park Service. Several social media videos captured the moment, revealing the presence of nearby individuals, fortunately, no injuries were reported.
In the aftermath of the explosion, the USGS promptly closed off access to the Biscuit Basin parking lot and boardwalks as a precautionary measure to ensure visitor safety. Geologists have been dispatched to the site to investigate the event. While hydrothermal explosions, resulting from the rapid transformation of underground water into steam, are not uncommon in the Yellowstone region, the USGS reassured that it is unrelated to volcanic activity.
"Today's explosion does not reflect activity within [the] volcanic system, which remains at normal background levels," the USGS asserted, further explaining that such explosions are not precursors to volcanic eruptions. Park authorities and the USGS will continue to monitor the area and will notify the public when it is safe for visitors to return. The Biscuit Basin, situated roughly two miles northwest of the famous Old Faithful geyser, derives its name from the biscuit-like features that once surrounded the Sapphire Pool, as explained by the NPS. Notably, the pool had not exhibited any eruptive activity since 1991.
In the aftermath of the explosion, the USGS promptly closed off access to the Biscuit Basin parking lot and boardwalks as a precautionary measure to ensure visitor safety. Geologists have been dispatched to the site to investigate the event. While hydrothermal explosions, resulting from the rapid transformation of underground water into steam, are not uncommon in the Yellowstone region, the USGS reassured that it is unrelated to volcanic activity.
"Today's explosion does not reflect activity within [the] volcanic system, which remains at normal background levels," the USGS asserted, further explaining that such explosions are not precursors to volcanic eruptions. Park authorities and the USGS will continue to monitor the area and will notify the public when it is safe for visitors to return. The Biscuit Basin, situated roughly two miles northwest of the famous Old Faithful geyser, derives its name from the biscuit-like features that once surrounded the Sapphire Pool, as explained by the NPS. Notably, the pool had not exhibited any eruptive activity since 1991.