A surprise eruption occurred in Yellowstone National Park on Tuesday, causing steam, water, and dark-colored rock and dirt to shoot dozens of feet into the sky. The hydrothermal explosion took place around 10 a.m. in Biscuit Basin, located a couple of miles north of the famous Old Faithful Geyser.
Video footage captured the moment as a group of onlookers watched from a boardwalk, only to run for safety as the eruption sprayed and grew in front of them. The eruption damaged the boardwalk, with photos showing damaged guardrails and boards covered in rock and silt near muddy pools.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the Biscuit Basin area was closed for visitor safety. The explosion occurred in or near Black Diamond Pool, the basin's widest thermal feature.
Hydrothermal explosions, caused by water suddenly flashing to steam underground, are relatively common in Yellowstone. Park geologists are investigating the specifics of this particular event. Similar blasts have occurred in Biscuit Basin in the past, with the latest eruption being considered on the smaller side.
Yellowstone National Park, centered on a dormant volcano, remains at normal activity levels despite the hydrothermal explosion. Visitors are reminded to stay on designated boardwalks and trails in thermal areas to avoid the potentially hazardous conditions of the geothermal features.
While this event ended without injuries, Yellowstone's thermal features have proven dangerous in the past, with at least 22 known fatalities related to thermal features in and around the park since 1890.
