Hydrothermal Explosion Rocks Yellowstone’s Biscuit Basin

By Charles Hawes, Capital News

    At around 10:00 AM MST on July 23, 2024, a small hydrothermal explosion occurred in Yellowstone National Park within the Biscuit Basin thermal area, approximately 2.1 miles (3.5 km) northwest of Old Faithful. Numerous visitors captured videos of the event, which showed significant activity in the area. Although the boardwalk sustained damage, no injuries were reported. The explosion appears to have originated near the Black Diamond Pool. For safety reasons, Biscuit Basin, including its parking lot and boardwalks, has been temporarily closed to visitors. However, the Grand Loop Road remains open. Yellowstone National Park geologists are currently investigating the event to determine its cause and potential impacts. Hydrothermal explosions occur when water suddenly flashes to steam underground, a phenomenon relatively common in Yellowstone. Notably, Porkchop Geyser in Norris Geyser Basin experienced a significant explosion in 1989, and monitoring equipment recorded a smaller event in the same basin on April 15, 2024. A similar explosion to today's event also occurred in Biscuit Basin on May 17, 2009. Monitoring data indicate no changes in the overall activity of the Yellowstone region. Today's explosion does not reflect increased volcanic activity, which remains at normal background levels. Hydrothermal explosions like this are not signs of impending volcanic eruptions and are not caused by magma rising towards the surface. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

    The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) continues to provide long-term monitoring of volcanic and earthquake activity in the Yellowstone National Park region. Yellowstone boasts the largest and most diverse collection of natural thermal features in the world and is renowned as the first National Park. YVO is one of the five USGS Volcano Observatories that monitor volcanoes within the United States for scientific research and public safety. YVO member agencies include the USGS, Yellowstone National Park, University of Utah, University of Wyoming, Montana State University, UNAVCO, Inc., Wyoming State Geological Survey, Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, and Idaho Geological Survey.



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