On Tuesday morning, a hydrothermal explosion in Yellowstone National Park’s Biscuit Basin area caused significant damage to a boardwalk and sent debris soaring several stories into the air, officials said.
The scientist-in-charge, Michael Poland, described this incident as a “small” explosion, which happened around 10 a.m. about 2.1 miles northwest of Old Faithful, likely originating from the Black Diamond Pool in Biscuit Basin.
The scientist confirmed that there have been no injuries reported so far. There were many videos of the hydrothermal explosion in Yellowstone National Park today posted online by the witnesses at the site. The footage showcased the scattered debris and a damaged boardwalk.
As a safety precaution, the officials closed the parking and boardwalks of Biscuit Basin temporarily. Additionally, the Yellowstone National Park geologists are investigating the incident, noting that current data shows no unusual volcanic activity.
What led to the hydrothermal explosion in Yellowstone National Park?
Poland said, “Monitoring data show no changes in the Yellowstone region. Today’s explosion does not reflect activity within the volcanic system, which remains at normal background levels of activity.” He added, “Hydrothermal explosions like today are not indicative of impending volcanic eruptions and are not caused by magma rising towards the surface.”
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History of Biscuit Basin Explosions
Further, Michael Poland explained that explosions like the one at the Hydrothermal explosion in Yellowstone National Park today happen when water underground changes rapidly to steam and are “relatively common” in this national park. Biscuit basin explosion history includes occurrences that happened back in May 2009 and a smaller one on April 15 in Norris Geyser Basin. Porkchop Geyser in Norris Geyser Basin exploded in 1989.
As per the United States Geological Survey, hydrothermal explosions in Yellowstone National Park can push boiling water, steam, mud, and rock into the air and can sometimes even reach heights of up to 1.2 miles. A 2018 report showed that large hydrothermal explosions occur on average every 700 years. At least 25 craters wider than 328 feet have been identified in the park.
Biscuit Basin, which is situated in Yellowstone National Park is a geothermal area. People know it for its beautiful hot springs, geysers, and occasional hydrothermal explosions. These explosions are very rare but are significant events – occurring when underground water suddenly flashes to stream. This causes an aggressive release of pressure, sending debris flying.
Wondering where the name “Biscuit Basin” comes from? Well, Biscuit Basin is named after the biscuit-shaped mineral formations that once surrounded Sapphire Pool, one of the area’s most prominent features.
Coming back to the report, it further states, “Although large hydrothermal explosions are rare on a human timescale, the potential for future events in Yellowstone National Park is not insignificant.” It estimates that a hydrothermal explosion large enough to create a 328-foot-wide crater might be expected every few hundred years.
The Yellowstone National Park Service notes that Black Diamond Pool erupted black and murky water after an earthquake in July 2006. It experienced “several explosive eruptions” in the days after, though eruptions have since been uncommon. The pool’s average temperature is 148.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
The public affairs office for the national park has provided no further information as of now, but it will become available.
Update: The National Park Service (NPS) field crews at Biscuit Basin, Yellowstone National Park have completed the assessment that we mentioned earlier in this article. Read about the Preliminary Assessment of Volcanic and Hydrothermal Hazards in Yellowstone National Park and Vicinity.
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