WATCH: Tourists Flee For Safety From Yellowstone Explosion

Hydrothermal Explosion at Yellowstone's Biscuit Basin

On Tuesday afternoon, Yellowstone National Park experienced a dramatic hydrothermal explosion in the Biscuit Basin area. The explosion demolished a section of the boardwalk, causing tourists to flee the scene. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.

WATCH: Yellowstone Park Visitors Flee From Hydrothermal Explosion at Biscuit Basin

You can see in this video shared by Vlada March on Facebook just how close visitors were to this explosion. It's worth noting that there was no advance warning of the explosion. If you watch closely, you can see that earth and degree cam dangerously close to hitting visitors while they ran from the event. And below, you can see the aftermath, and just how much of area was impacted by the explosion.

What is a Hydrothermal Explosion?

A hydrothermal explosion occurs when water beneath the Earth's surface rapidly heats and turns into steam, causing an explosive release of pressure. This can result in the ejection of rocks, hot water, and steam into the air, significantly altering the landscape. These events are relatively common in geothermal areas like Yellowstone National Park, which sits atop a vast volcanic hotspot.

Frequency of Hydrothermal Explosions at Yellowstone

Hydrothermal explosions happen every few years at Yellowstone. While most are small and only impact a localized area, larger explosions can have more significant effects. For instance, the Porkchop Geyser explosion in 1989 led to the closure and rerouting of walking paths in the Norris Geyser Basin.

Impact and Historical Incidents

While hydrothermal explosions are hazardous, injuries from such events are rare. The latest explosion in Biscuit Basin caused considerable damage to the infrastructure but resulted in no reported injuries. Historically, the most significant risk comes from being in close proximity to these events when they occur. Previous incidents, like the 1989 Porkchop Geyser explosion, underline the potential danger but also highlight the effectiveness of park management in ensuring visitor safety through timely area closures.

Safety Measures and Ongoing Investigation

In response to the recent explosion, Biscuit Basin and its boardwalk are temporarily closed to the public. Geologists from the park are currently investigating the incident to assess the extent of the damage. Visitors are advised to stay informed about the latest updates and adhere to park safety guidelines to ensure their safety while exploring Yellowstone.

For more detailed information on hydrothermal activity at Yellowstone, visit the U.S. Geological Survey and Yellowstone Insider websites.