Yellowstone Hydrothermal Blast Sends Tourists Fleeing A hydrothermal explosion occurred at Yellowstone’s Biscuit Basin on Tuesday morning, sending a towering column of boiling water, mud, and rocks into the sky. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but a section of the boardwalk was destroyed, prompting officials to close the area to the public.
The incident, which occurred around 10 a.m., was captured in dramatic videos by several tourists. Vlada March, who recorded the event on her cellphone, described how she and her family were on a guided tour when steam suddenly began rising from the ground. The situation quickly escalated as a massive cloud of dark debris engulfed the area, temporarily blocking out the sun.
In the chaos, Ms. March shouted for her children to run while she searched anxiously for her elderly mother, who emerged covered in ash. The explosion, located near Black Diamond Pool in Biscuit Basin, was distinct from the regular steam eruptions of Old Faithful.
Michael Poland from the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory explained that such explosions are caused when underground water rapidly turns to steam due to changes in the hydrothermal system’s plumbing, although this incident was not triggered by seismic activity. Similar events have occurred in the park before, though they are typically unnoticed except by monitoring equipment.
Despite the risks associated with Yellowstone’s thermal features, which include scalding hot springs exceeding 150 degrees Fahrenheit, incidents involving them are relatively rare compared to encounters with wildlife. The park, renowned for its geysers and other thermal wonders, attracts visitors drawn by its unique and sometimes hazardous natural beauty.
