A hydrothermal explosion in Yellowstone National Park sent rocks and debris flying, damaging a pedestrian trail and forcing the closure of the area Tuesday morning.
The explosion happened at about 10 a.m. local time in the Biscuit Basin hot springs area, near Black Diamond Pool, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Park geologists are investigating the cause of the incident while Biscuit Basin, its trails and parking lots are closed for visitor safety, the survey reported. The popular tourist spot is located about two miles northwest of Old Faithful.
“Monitoring data indicates no changes in the Yellowstone region. Today’s explosion does not reflect activity within the volcanic system, which remains at normal background activity levels,” Poland said in a statement.
“Hydrothermal explosions like today’s are not a sign of an impending volcanic eruption and are not caused by magma rising towards the surface.”
These types of explosions occur when water rapidly turns to steam underground and are “relatively common” in Yellowstone National Park, he explained. There was a similar explosion in Biscuit Bay in May 2009, and a smaller explosion in Norris Geyser Basin on April 15. Pork Chop Geyser in Norris Geyser Basin exploded in 1989.
Facebook users Vlada MarchMarch, who posted the video, wrote on the platform that the explosion happened right in front of him and his family, describing his mother as “covered from head to toe in ash” as he frantically searched for her and yelled for her two young sons to get away.
“The boardwalk was destroyed and my mother was caught in some of the rubble but we are all safe. It’s an incredible feeling and I’m just grateful to be alive,” March said.