A hydrothermal explosion occurred in the Biscuit Basin in Yellowstone National Park, damaging part of the boardwalk, CBS News reports, UNN writes.
Details
According to officials, a hydrothermal explosion occurred Tuesday morning in Biscuit Basin of Yellowstone National Park in northwestern Wyoming in the United States, sending boiling water and steam into the air and causing some damage to the promenade.
A small localized eruption occurred at 10.19 am local time near Sapphire Pool, which is located about 3.2 km northwest of the famous Old Faithful geyser, the US National Park Service said.
The pool, including the parking lot and sidewalks, is temporarily closed until park officials determine that the area is safe.
No injuries were reported, and the extent of the damage is still being assessed, the National Park Service said. Photos posted by Yellowstone on social media show a boardwalk covered with debris, with a bench and parts of the fence destroyed.
"Hydrothermal explosions, which are episodes of sudden water turning to steam, are extremely difficult to predict," the US Geological Survey said on social media. The agency compared the eruptions to a pressure cooker, adding that "they may not give any warning signs at all.
Park officials also said that volcanic activity remains "at a normal background level.
"This kind of thing happens 1-2 times a year somewhere in Yellowstone (often in remote areas, so it goes unnoticed)," the USGS said on social media. - "This is an underestimated danger that we have been paying attention to for many years. A similar event occurred in approximately the same location in 2009.
The agency added that "a small (eruption - ed.) does not mean that it was not impressive.
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