Steam Rising in Basin Causes Explosion
Park Officials: "No Injuries... Normal Natural Phenomenon"
A sudden explosion occurred in the Biscuit Basin of Yellowstone National Park in the United States, causing tourists to evacuate.
US Fox News focused on a video filmed in Yellowstone on the 23rd (local time). The video was taken by a tourist visiting the Biscuit Basin of Yellowstone National Park that day and has since spread across various social networking services (SNS) such as Facebook.
In the video, a massive explosion suddenly occurs within the basin. A huge cloud mixed with rocks and dust rises into the sky, and the tourists witnessing the scene panic and flee hurriedly. One tourist even screams, "Oh my God!"
After the explosion, the park authorities announced, "At around 10 a.m. on the 23rd, a small hydrothermal explosion occurred in the Biscuit Basin area of Yellowstone." A hydrothermal explosion happens when hot water trapped beneath the surface changes from liquid to gas, breaking through the rock.
At this time, the steam that pierces through the rock and shoots into the sky is accompanied by boiling water, mud, and rock fragments. In the case of a massive hydrothermal explosion, dust columns reaching several kilometers high can rise. The Biscuit Basin, where this explosion occurred, is a place where hot water flows beneath the ground.
The park added, "Visitors recorded videos of this incident. Although the explosion damaged the walking trails, no injuries have been reported. The explosion appears to have occurred near Black Diamond Pool."
Currently, geologists are reportedly moving to the explosion site to conduct investigations. Also, the parking lot at Biscuit Basin was temporarily closed following the explosion.
However, the park stated that this explosion itself is a "relatively common natural phenomenon." Explosions can occur anytime during the process of underground hot water turning into steam.
The park explained, "For example, the Norris Geyser Basin and the Fountain Geyser Basin each experienced explosions in 1989. In the case of the Norris Basin explosion, it was recorded by monitoring equipment on April 15th of this year." Meanwhile, it is said that this is the first explosion in Biscuit Basin in about 15 years since May 17, 2009.
Regarding some tourists' concerns about possible volcanic activity near Yellowstone National Park, the park clarified, "This explosion does not reflect volcanic activity. The volcanic system is currently maintaining normal activity levels."
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