Yellowstone National Park situated on a vast supervolcano experiences dramatic natural events. On July 23rd at 10:19 am local time, Biscuit Basin showcased the park’s volatile nature and erupted with remarkable force near Sapphire Pool, sending hot water erupting with unusual intensity.
The eruption was captured on video by Facebook user Vlada March, showing dark material shooting into the sky while onlookers fled. Fortunately, no one was injured, and the event was not volcanic but hydrothermal.
According to a joint statement from the US Geological Survey and Yellowstone National Park, “Hydrothermal explosions occur when water suddenly flashes to steam underground, and they are relatively common in Yellowstone.”
Historical context provides perspective: “For example, Porkchop Geyser, in Norris Geyser Basin, experienced an explosion in 1989, and a small event in Norris Geyser Basin was recorded by monitoring equipment on April 15, 2024. An explosion similar to that of today also occurred in Biscuit Basin on May 17, 2009.”
These explosions are triggered when water, under intense pressure and heat far beyond its boiling point, rapidly turns to steam, causing a forceful release. This mechanism, while similar to geyser activity, is much more explosive, ejecting water and debris violently.
Although hydrothermal explosions are not caused by magma, they can be influenced by seismic activity. Yellowstone is seismically active, recording between 1,500 and 2,500 earthquakes annually, which can contribute to these explosive events.
The recent Biscuit Basin eruption, while dramatic, is relatively minor compared to Yellowstone’s potential scale. Such explosions can send steam, mud, and rocks up to 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) into the air, creating craters and spreading debris. A new crater linked to an explosion in Norris Geyser Basin this April underscores the frequent occurrence of these smaller blasts.
Despite their relative frequency, the largest hydrothermal explosions are rare, occurring roughly once every 700 years. Thus, while the recent event was impressive, it is small-scale compared to the potential magnitude of Yellowstone’s geothermal activity.
The explosion did cause damage to the Biscuit Basin boardwalk, and the area, including parking facilities, remains closed as repairs and safety assessments are conducted.
