In a surprising turn of events, a hydrothermal explosion startled visitors at Yellowstone National Park. On Tuesday morning, steam, water, dark-colored rock, and dirt shot several feet into the sky, causing panic among those in the vicinity. The eruption took place in Biscuit Basin, just a few miles north of the renowned Old Faithful Geyser.

Video footage captured the moment as onlookers, standing on a boardwalk, witnessed the eruption unfolding before their eyes. As the eruption intensified, water and debris began to fall, prompting immediate evacuation as screams of "Back up!" and "Holy cow!" filled the air. The spectators sought refuge, gazing in awe at the spectacle from a safe distance, surrounded by a massive cloud of steam.

The eruption left its mark, damaging the boardwalk, an elevated wooden platform designed to protect visitors from Yellowstone's fragile and dangerous geothermal areas. Photographs and videos taken after the incident revealed destroyed guardrails and boards covered in rock and silt near muddy pools.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but for the sake of visitor safety, the Biscuit Basin area was temporarily closed, as stated by the U.S. Geological Survey. The explosion occurred either in or near the Black Diamond Pool, a 120-foot-long hot pool known for being the widest thermal feature in the basin.

Aerial photographs taken by the National Park Service after the incident showed that the pool had expanded near the boardwalk compared to recent satellite images. Its water took on a muddy beige color, while the neighboring Sapphire Pool, located about 100 yards away, retained its usual blue hues.

Hydrothermal explosions occur when underground water rapidly flashes into steam. These occurrences are relatively common in Yellowstone National Park, known for its geothermal activity. Park geologists are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this specific incident.

Biscuit Basin has experienced similar blasts in the past, with incidents reported in 2009, 1991, and after the magnitude 7.2 Hebgen Lake earthquake in 1959, which was located about 40 miles away. Scientists theorize that a series of hydrothermal explosions created Mary Bay, the world's largest known hydrothermal explosion crater, on the northeastern side of Yellowstone Lake approximately 13,800 years ago.

It is important to note that Yellowstone National Park is situated atop a dormant volcano. However, the hydrothermal explosion does not indicate any new volcanic activity within the system, which remains at normal levels, according to the Geological Survey.

While no injuries occurred during this event, it serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with the park's thermal features. Tragically, since 1890, at least 22 fatalities have been attributed to injuries sustained in and around these areas. Visitors are repeatedly cautioned to strictly adhere to the designated boardwalks and trails in thermal regions, as some pools and springs have thin, breakable crusts covering scalding and acidic water.

Yellowstone National Park continues to be a breathtaking destination, but visitors must exercise caution and respect the dangers posed by its awe-inspiring geothermal activity.