A sudden steam eruption in a geyser basin at Yellowstone National Park, which sent visitors scrambling for safety as basketball-sized rocks flew overhead, has brought attention to a little-known hazard that scientists hope to predict in the future.
BILLINGS, Mont. — A surprise steam eruption at a Yellowstone National Park geyser basin on Tuesday, which caused visitors to scramble for safety as basketball-sized rocks flew overhead, has shed light on a lesser-known hazard that scientists hope to predict in the future.
The hydrothermal explosion in Biscuit Basin, although dramatic, resulted in no injuries as numerous visitors fled the boardwalk before it was destroyed. Witnesses and experts reviewing video footage described a scene where rocks, steam, water, and dirt were launched high into the air.
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Yellowstone, renowned for its geysers, hot springs, and other hydrothermal features, attracts millions of tourists each year. While some features like the famous Old Faithful are well understood and predictable, the type of explosion that occurred this week is less common and poses a greater hazard due to its unpredictable nature.
“This highlights that even relatively small events—this one included—can be very hazardous,” said Michael Poland, lead scientist at the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. “We’re good at predicting volcanic eruptions, but we lack a similar understanding of hydrothermal systems like those in Yellowstone.”
In response, scientists are working on a new monitoring system in another geyser basin at Yellowstone. This system tracks seismic activity, surface deformations, and low-frequency acoustic signals that could indicate an impending eruption.
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According to Poland, hydrothermal explosions may result from blocked passageways in the park’s extensive natural plumbing system. A blockage can cause pressurized, heated water to rapidly convert to steam and explode.
The recent eruption occurred with minimal warning. Witness Vlada March, who captured the explosion on video, reported that steam began rising suddenly before the eruption produced a massive black cloud that obscured the sun.
Tour guide Isaac Fisher reported hearing an unusual hiss from Cliff Pool before the explosion, which shot a geyser-like column 60 to 70 feet into the air before erupting with a “ba-boom.” Fisher described feeling a shock wave that vibrated through his chest and the ground shaking beneath his feet.
The explosion, which lasted about 25 seconds, sent debris up to 328 feet into the air. Fisher was astonished no one was injured, given the size of the rocks flying overhead.
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Some rocks ejected during the blast were approximately three feet across, according to Poland.
Yellowstone sits atop a massive, dormant volcano that provides the heat for its famous geothermal features. While hydrothermal explosions are less frequent than geyser eruptions, they are significant enough to warrant study and pose a safety concern.
Scientists are still uncertain if they can develop a reliable prediction system for such events. In 2009, geologist Mike Stickney witnessed a similar explosion near Tuesday's site, noting that it was sudden and without any detectable warning.
In May, after discovering a small crater in Norris Geyser Basin, scientists used data from a new monitoring system to determine that a hydrothermal explosion had occurred earlier in April, though no clear precursors were identified.
University of Wyoming geology professor Ken Sims is studying potential problem areas for ground disruptions in Yellowstone, which is crucial for infrastructure planning in the park.
Developing a detection system is both time-consuming and costly, with each monitoring station costing about $30,000. Even if predictions could be made, preventing such explosions remains impractical, as Poland emphasizes.
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