Yellowstone hydrothermal explosion causes extensive damage but no injuries; area closed, no unusual volcanic activity, common but rare large explosions.
A hydrothermal explosion occurred in Yellowstone National Park on Tuesday morning. It damaged a boardwalk and sent debris several stories into the air. The explosion happened around 10 a.m. in Biscuit Basin, northwest of Old Faithful. Michael Poland, a scientist at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, called it a “small” explosion. So far, there have been no reported injuries.
In fact videos posted online showed people on the boardwalk near the explosion. They also showed debris. And a damaged boardwalk. For safety, Biscuit Basin’s parking lot and boardwalks are temporarily closed. Yellowstone geologists are investigating. But found no unusual volcanic activity. Poland stated that today’s explosion does not reflect volcanic activity. The volcanic system remains at normal levels.
These types of explosions occur when water quickly changes to steam underground. They are “relatively common” in Yellowstone. For instance, a similar explosion happened in Biscuit Bay in May 2009. A smaller explosion occurred in Norris Geyser Basin on April 15. Porkchop Geyser in Norris Geyser Basin exploded in 1989.
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Similarly hydrothermal explosions can send boiling water, steam, mud, and rock into the air. They can reach heights of up to 1.2 miles. According to a 2018 report by the U.S. Geological Survey, large hydrothermal explosions happen about every 700 years. The park has at least 25 craters that are 328 feet wide.
Large hydrothermal explosions are rare but possible. An explosion creating a 328-foot-wide crater might happen every few hundred years. Black Diamond Pool erupted black water after a 2006 earthquake. It had several explosive eruptions after the earthquake but has erupted infrequently since then. Its average temperature is 148.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory will release more information as it becomes available.
“Conclusion: Damage from Yellowstone Hydrothermal Explosion”
Yellowstone hydrothermal explosion in National Park caused damage but no injuries. The boardwalk and parking lot in Biscuit Basin are closed for safety. Geologists found no unusual volcanic activity. Furthermore, these explosions are common in Yellowstone. For example, similar events happened in 2009 and 1989. The explosions occur when underground water quickly turns to steam. They can send debris up to 1.2 miles high. However, large explosions are rare, happening every 700 years on average. Finally, the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory will release more details soon.
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