Hydrothermal explosion in Yellowstone

A hydrothermal explosion occurred on July 23 at Yellowstone National Park, specifically near Sapphire Pool in Biscuit Basin, around 10:20 a.m., sending tourists fleeing for safety. The event resulted in a significant column of steam, water, and debris projected into the air, with rocks reportedly falling and damaging boardwalks, though no injuries were reported. The National Park Service has closed the area for safety and is investigating the extent of the damage, which included shattered guardrails and debris littering the ground. Experts from the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory clarified that this was a hydrothermal explosion caused by boiling water rapidly transitioning to steam, a phenomenon not linked to volcanic activity. Visitors expressed both fear and awe as they witnessed the dramatic event, with one participant describing the chaotic scene as they scrambled to escape the explosion. This type of explosion is relatively common in Yellowstone and generally occurs every 700 years, with no immediate volcanic threat indicated.