Current:Home > ContactSurprise Yellowstone geyser eruption highlights little known hazard at popular park -TrueNorth Capital Hub
Surprise Yellowstone geyser eruption highlights little known hazard at popular park
View
Date:2025-04-15 11:27:59
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A surprise eruption of steam in a Yellowstone National Park geyser basin that sent people scrambling for safety as large rocks shot into the air has highlighted a little-known hazard that scientists hope to be able to predict someday.
The hydrothermal explosion on Tuesday in Biscuit Basin caused no injuries as dozens of people fled down the boardwalk before the wooden walkway was destroyed. The blast sent steam, water and dark-colored rock and dirt an estimated 100 feet into the air.
It came in a park teeming with geysers, hot springs and other hydrothermal features that attracts millions of tourists annually. Some, like the famous Old Faithful, erupt like clockwork and are well understood by the scientists who monitor the park’s seismic activity.
But the type of explosion that happened this week is less common and understood, and potentially more hazardous given that they happen without warning.
“This drives home that even small events — and this one in the scheme of things was relatively small, if dramatic — can be really hazardous,” said Michael Poland, lead scientist at the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. “We’ve gotten pretty good at being able to understand the signs that a volcano is waking up and may erupt. We don’t have that knowledge base for hydrothermal systems like the one in Yellowstone.”
Poland and other scientists are trying to change that with a fledgling monitoring system that was recently installed in another Yellowstone geyser basin. It measures seismic activity, deformations in the Earth’s surface and low-frequency acoustic energy that could signal an eruption.
A day before the Biscuit Basin explosion, the U.S. Geological Survey posted an article by observatory scientists about a smaller hydrothermal explosion in April in Yellowstone’s Norris Geyser Basin. It was the first time such an event was recognized based on monitoring data, which was closely scrutinized after geologists in May come across a small crater in the basin.
The two explosions are believed to result from clogged passageways in the extensive natural plumbing network under Yellowstone, Poland said. A clog could cause the heated, pressurized water to turn into steam instantly and explode.
Tuesday’s explosion came with little warning. Witness Vlada March told The Associated Press that steam started rising in the Biscuit Basin “and within seconds, it became this huge thing. ... It just exploded and became like a black cloud that covered the sun.”
March captured widely-circulated video of the explosion, which sent debris hurtling into the air as tourists fled in fear.
“I think our tour guide said, ‘Run!’ And I started running and I started screaming at the kids, ‘Run, run, run!’” she added.
The scientists don’t know if they’ll be able to devise a way to predict the blasts, Poland said. The detection system alone would take time to develop, with monitoring stations that can cost roughly $30,000 each. And even if they could be predicted, there’s no feasible way to prevent such explosions, he said.
“One of the things people ask me occasionally is, ‘How do you stop a volcano from erupting?’ You don’t. You get out of the way,” Poland said. “For any of this activity, you don’t want to be there when it happens.”
veryGood! (29)
Related
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Blue Jackets players, GM try to make sense of tragedy after deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau
- 'King of the neighborhood:' Watch as massive alligator crosses road in North Carolina town
- No-hitter! Cubs make history behind starter Shota Imanaga vs. Pirates
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- What to Know About Rebecca Cheptegei, the Olympic Runner Set on Fire in a Gasoline Attack
- Advocates seek rewrite of Missouri abortion-rights ballot measure language
- Opening statements are scheduled in the trial of a man who killed 10 at a Colorado supermarket
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- Love Is Blind's Shaina Hurley Shares She Was Diagnosed With Cancer While Pregnant
Ranking
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Verizon buying Frontier in $20B deal to strengthen its fiber network
- Schools hiring more teachers without traditional training. They hope Texas will pay to prepare them.
- Taraji P. Henson Debuts Orange Hair Transformation With Risqué Red Carpet Look
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- College football's cash grab: Coaches, players, schools, conference all are getting paid.
- Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper Show Sweet PDA on Yacht in Italy
- Ugandan Olympic athlete dies after being severely burned by her partner over a land dispute
Recommendation
Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
Proof Christina Hall and Ex Ant Anstead Are on Better Terms After Custody Battle
Imanaga, 2 relievers combine for no-hitter, lead Cubs over Pirates 12-0
Travis Kelce's Reps Respond to Alleged Taylor Swift Breakup Plan
2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
Horoscopes Today, September 4, 2024
The arrest of a former aide to NY governors highlights efforts to root out Chinese agents in the US
2nd suspect arrested in theft of sword and bullhorn from Rick Pitino’s office