A hydrothermal explosion took place at Yellowstone National Park’s Biscuit Basin Tuesday, damaging a boardwalk as several park guests ran to safety.
The explosion occurred at the Biscuit Basin thermal area around 10 a.m. local time, appearing to originate near the Black Diamond Pool, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. There were no injuries immediately reported.
Biscuit Basin as well as its boardwalks and parking lots are closed for visitor safety as park geologists investigate what occurred, USGS reported. The popular tourist spot is located roughly two miles northwest of Old Faithful.
Volcanic activity for the Yellowstone region remains at normal levels, according to USGS.
Video shared on Facebook captured the eruption that sent people running away as it created a massive fume in its wake.
Facebook user Vlada March, who posted the video, wrote on platform that the explosion occurred right in front of her and her family.
“Boardwalk destroyed, my mom got some of the debris but everyone is safe. Unbelievable and grateful to be alive,” March wrote.
“Hydrothermal explosions like that of today are not a sign of impending volcanic eruptions, and they are not caused by magma rising towards the surface,” USGC wrote.
Hydrothermal explosions happen when hot water in a volcano system flashes into steam in a confined area, Lisa Morgan, an emeritus USGS research geologist, wrote for the Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles, a Yellowstone Volcano Observatory publication.
The explosions are “one of the most important and least understood geologic hazards,” Morgan said. Sudden drops in pressure lead to rapid expansion of the high-temperature fluids or vapors and result in a crater-forming eruption.
