Massive “Hydrothermal Explosion” Occurs in Biscuit Basin, Yellowstone National Park

On the morning of July 23rd, a “hydrothermal explosion” occurred in the Biscuit Basin area of Yellowstone National Park, where boiling water, rocks, and mud were thrown into the air amidst a massive cloud of steam, prompting visitors to scramble for safe shelter.

According to park officials, there have been no reports of injuries so far. However, as a precautionary measure, the Biscuit Basin area, including parking lots and boardwalks, has been temporarily closed. Post-disaster photos released by the National Park Service show some damage to the boardwalk near the explosion site, which is close to the Sapphire Pool and not far from the famous Old Faithful geyser.

Yellowstone National Park is home to a supervolcano capable of covering the entire North American continent, so naturally, such an explosion event is not what people hope to see, but there is no need for excessive alarm. Officials stated that this incident is not a precursor to a large-scale eruption.

“There are no other monitoring data indicating changes in the Yellowstone area,” the park service said in a statement. “Today’s explosion does not reflect any changes in the volcanic system, with activity levels remaining at normal background levels.”

Hydrothermal explosions are common natural occurrences in Yellowstone National Park, with an average of one to two happening each year. However, it is rare to capture such a spectacular explosion on camera. Videos show visitors appearing tiny next to the dark, towering eruption column.

While this explosion was significant in scale, it is not considered one of the largest compared to some other historical hydrothermal explosions. According to the US Geological Survey, sudden releases of super-heated water under pressure can sometimes erupt over a mile high, leaving behind large craters of similar diameters. The largest known hydrothermal crater has a diameter of approximately 1.5 miles and formed around 13,800 years ago.

However, many hydrothermal explosions may only be tens of feet in size, with large explosions happening on average about once every 700 years.

As of now, there is no record of anyone dying as a result of these events, but their unpredictability undoubtedly presents unique risks. The US Geological Survey mentioned on Twitter, “Hydrothermal explosions, the process of water suddenly turning into steam, are very difficult to predict. They may show no signs at all.”

Fortunately, volcanoes do provide warnings.

Scientists monitor various precursors to predict magma eruptions, such as increasing frequency and intensity of earthquakes. It is also possible to predict increased activity at nearby volcanic vents.

However, none of these signs have manifested at present.

Michael Poland, the scientist in charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, stated, “Events like today’s hydrothermal explosion do not indicate an imminent volcanic eruption and are not caused by magma rising to the surface.”

Overall, while the hydrothermal explosion in Yellowstone National Park was a significant event, it does not signal any imminent volcanic activity or pose an immediate threat to visitors and surrounding areas. Scientists and park officials continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety of all individuals in the park.