Small Explosion in Yellowstone Damages Boardwalk, Sends Debris Flying
On Tuesday morning, a small hydrothermal explosion in Yellowstone National Park's Biscuit Basin area damaged a boardwalk and sent debris
flying high into the air. This happened around 10 a.m., about (2.1 miles) northwest of Old Faithful, likely at the Black Diamond Pool, according to
Michael Poland from the (U.S.) Geological Survey’s Yellowstone Volcano Observatory.No injuries were reported. Videos from the scene show people on the boardwalk near the explosion site and
debris scattered around.Biscuit Basin’s parking lot and boardwalks are temporarily closed while geologists investigate. They report no unusual
volcanic activity, stating that today's explosion does not indicate any rising magma or imminent volcanic eruptions. These types of explosions are
fairly common in Yellowstone, occurring when water rapidly turns to steam underground.Similar explosions have happened before: in Biscuit Bay in
May (2009), in Norris Geyser Basin in April (2015), and with Porkchop Geyser in (1989).Hydrothermal explosions can launch boiling
water, steam, mud, and rocks up to (1.2 miles) into the air. Large explosions, which create craters at least (328 feet wide), happen roughly every (700)
years. Yellowstone has at least (25) such craters.The Black Diamond Pool, which erupted black, murky water after a July (2006) earthquake,
has had infrequent explosive eruptions since then and averages a temperature of (148.5 degrees) Fahrenheit.The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory
will provide more information as it becomes available.