By A sudden hydrothermal explosion in Yellowstone National Park sent steam, water, and debris soaring into the sky on Tuesday, forcing dozens of tourists to flee for safety. The unexpected eruption occurred around 10 a.m. in Biscuit Basin, a popular hot spring area located north of Old Faithful Geyser.
Eyewitness Vlada March, a California real estate agent visiting with her family, captured the incident on video. “We saw more steam coming up and within seconds it became this huge thing,” March recounted. “It just exploded and became like a black cloud that covered the sun.” As rocks began falling, March and other tourists ran from the area, with some yelling “Back up!” and “Holy cow!”
While no injuries were reported, the explosion damaged boardwalks in the area, prompting officials to close Biscuit Basin for visitor safety. Photos and videos of the aftermath showed broken guardrails and debris-covered walkways near muddy pools.
Mike Poland, a scientist with the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, estimated the explosion sent material about 100 feet into the air. He explained that the blast likely resulted from a clogged passageway in the park’s natural underground plumbing system, causing a buildup of heat and pressure similar to a pressure cooker.
Poland noted that while spectacular and hazardous, this explosion was relatively small compared to Yellowstone’s geological history. The largest known hydrothermal explosion crater in the park measures 1.5 miles across, formed approximately 13,800 years ago.
The eruption occurred near Black Diamond Pool, the basin’s widest thermal feature. Aerial photos taken afterward showed the pool somewhat enlarged and its water turned a muddy beige.
Park officials emphasize that this event does not indicate new activity within Yellowstone’s dormant volcanic system, which remains at normal levels according to the U.S. Geological Survey. However, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers in Yellowstone’s geothermal areas, where at least 22 people have died from thermal feature-related injuries since 1890.
As park geologists investigate the specific cause of this eruption, visitors are reminded to stay on designated boardwalks and trails in thermal areas for their safety. The event underscores the unpredictable nature of Yellowstone’s geothermal features and the importance of heeding park safety guidelines.
