ENVIRONMENT

Hydrothermal explosion closes basin at Yellowstone National Park

Jul 23, 2024, 2:50 PM | Updated: 2:51 pm

A small hydrothermal explosion damaged a boardwalk near the Biscuit Basin thermal area, July 23, 20...

A small hydrothermal explosion damaged a boardwalk near the Biscuit Basin thermal area, July 23, 2024. (Yellowstone National Park)

(Yellowstone National Park)

GARDINER, MT — Biscuit Basin in Yellowstone National Park temporarily closed, after a “small hydrothermal explosion” Monday morning, according to a post from Yellowstone National Park and the United States Geological Survey.

A public notice sent by the USGS said that at approximately 10 a.m., an explosion occurred at Biscuit Basin, which is 2.1 miles northwest of the Old Faithful geyser.

The explosion reportedly damaged the boardwalk and is said to have originated near Black Diamond Pool. There were no other damages or injuries reported from the explosion.

The USGS said hydrothermal explosions are caused by water that “suddenly flashes to steam underground,” and that these types of explosions are “relatively common in Yellowstone.”

According to the notice, the explosion “does not reflect activity within volcanic system, which remains at normal background levels of activity.” Hydrothermal explosions are not caused by magma rising and are not a precursor of volcanic eruptions.

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Hydrothermal explosion closes basin at Yellowstone National Park