The breathtaking natural beauty of Yellowstone National Park was disrupted on July 23 by an unexpected hydrothermal eruption in the Biscuit area. Basin. Visitors in the surrounding area were forced to flee for their lives when a spectacular fountain of dark material erupted from the ground.

Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries from the event, although it did damage a nearby boardwalk. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) and Yellowstone National Park issued a joint statement explaining that "hydrothermal explosions occur when water suddenly flashes into steam underground, and they are quite common in Yellowstone."

If reports are to be believed, similar cases have been recorded in the past. In 1989, the Porkchop Geyser exploded in the Norris Geyser Basin, and a similar event was recorded in the same area on April 15, 2024. An explosion similar to the recent one also occurred in the Biscuit Basin in 2009.

These hydrothermal explosions, although dramatic, are distinct from volcanic activity. Yellowstone sits atop a supervolcano that heats and acidifies underground reservoirs. Under enormous pressure, this superheated water—sometimes reaching 250 degrees Celsius—can quickly turn to steam, causing explosive eruptions when it breaks through to the surface.

“Hydrothermal explosions are one of the most important and least geohazards studied,” explained Lisa Morgan, USGS Research Geologist Emeritus. The sudden drop in pressure causes high-temperature fluids or vapors to rapidly expand, resulting in a crater-forming eruption.

Yellowstone is a global hotspot for these hydrothermal events, which can occur up to twice a year. Northeast Yellowstone Lake is home to three of the largest known hydrothermal explosion craters on Earth—Mary Bay, Lake Turbid, and Elliott Crater.

While the recent eruption at Biscuit Basin was undoubtedly dramatic, experts said the public that there is no cause for concern. These events are a known and natural aspect of Yellowstone's geothermal activity and do not indicate any impending volcanic eruption.

However, the incident serves as a reminder of the dynamic and unpredictable nature of of this iconic national park. Yellowstone's unusual geological processes continue to shape the landscape, sometimes in unexpected and awe-inspiring ways. As visitors marvel at the park's beauty, they should also be aware of the powerful forces that lie beneath the surface, ready to manifest themselves from time to time in spectacular—though harmless—hydrothermal explosions.

Source: timesofindia

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