This morning, just after 10 AM local time, there was a “localized hydrothermal explosion” in Biscuit Basin at Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone officials have confirmed the explosion and say there were no known injuries.
But there could have been. Vlada March was approaching the area on the boardwalk when, suddenly, it exploded. She got it on video.
In the video, you can see the explosion and hear March yelling “run!” to her family. She also throws some expletives in there.
“@Biscuit basin at Yellowstone national park Montana just exploded right in front of us,” March wrote in the video’s caption. “Boardwalk destroyed, my mom got some of the debris but everyone is safe. Unbelievable and grateful to be alive”
Watch the terrifying moment here (warning: expletive language):
The explosion took place near Sapphire Pool in Biscuit Basin, which is just north of Old Faithful. The park has temporarily closed Biscuit Basin, including the boardwalks and parking lot.
Yellowstone’s post to X was oddly casual:
(Heads Up!) Biscuit Basin in Yellowstone National Park temporarily closed due to hydrothermal explosion. More info: https://t.co/tcDR8oRNSx pic.twitter.com/YP7CkwNrQR
— Yellowstone National Park (@YellowstoneNPS) July 23, 2024
There’s no word yet on when the area will reopen.
“Park staff and staff from USGS will monitor conditions and reopen the area once deemed safe,” Yellowstone’s press release says. “No other monitoring data show changes in the Yellowstone region. Today’s explosion does not reflect a change in the volcanic system, which remains at normal background levels of activity.”
To clarify, this is not a volcanic explosion. It was a hydrothermal explosion caused by superheated water turning to steam underground.