Last July, a hydrothermal explosion blasted Black Diamond Pool, shaking the visitors at Yellowstone National Park. The blast demolished the boardwalks and scattered debris across a wide area. Some expressed fears that the Yellowstone explosion might somehow be related to the magma reservoir that lies beneath the park.
Could it signal an awakening that could lead to a huge blast that could wipe out an entire region? Geologists now say they have identified the cause of the explosion and warn that the nearby Steamboat Geyser is ready to erupt soon.
Yellowstone explosion not from magma—The proof is in the rocks
United States Geological Survey (USGS) scientists say their research has shown that the explosion at Black Diamond Pool found its start in shallow ground. Rather than magma from one of the two calderas lying beneath park ground, boiling water was the cause behind the big blast.
They base these conclusions on the rocks and debris blasted across the landscape at Black Diamond Pool. The blast site contained sandstone and siltstone instead of rhyolite, which geologists associate with magma. These kinds of rock come from glaciers—not magma.
To get a better grasp of what led up to the Black Diamond Pool incident, scientists set up thermal probes, cameras and seismometers. This equipment detected surges of water—not associated with the July explosion. They described the surges like a bubble “that pushes water outward from the middle of the pool.”
Black Diamond Pool is a “resident” of the Biscuit Basin area. It’s a thermal group in the park’s Upper Geyser Basin. The Basin’s geysers, hot springs, and colorful pools enthrall visitors.
As far as looking to a major magma blast, USGS scientists say that hydrothermal explosions like the one that hit in July are “the most likely hazard to occur in the Yellowstone Region” in the lifetime of RVtravel.com readers.
Steamboat Geyser likely to erupt “soon”
At the same time, the USGS researchers say don’t get too complacent. They predict that Yellowstone’s Steamboat Geyser will likely erupt soon. “Soon,” as in a matter of days or weeks. That’s part of a normal, but not nearly as predictable, cycle as the park’s favorite son, Old Faithful.
Yellowstone Park officials say a Steamboat eruption is something to behold. “A major eruption of Steamboat Geyser is unforgettable. Water surges from two vents to varying heights, then suddenly water is expelled to more than 300 feet (91 m) high. Curtains of water fall to the slope above the geyser and collect in torrents rushing back into the vents, carrying huge amounts of mud, sand, and rock that are shot skyward again and again. Water coats everything with a glistening layer of silica,” says a Yellowstone webpage.
Be warned! The webpage continued: “A significant amount of eruption debris can accumulate around the geyser. Even cars in the parking area can be littered with debris.”
And what about getting access to Biscuit Basin? Officials have closed visitation to the Basin since the July explosion. When might the area reopen? “It depends on the activity that occurs over the winter, and the park’s ability to rebuild or maybe reroute the boardwalks. That decision probably won’t be made for several months,” USGS officials say.
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Thank you, Russ and Tina! 🙂 Interesting stuff and sounds potentially quite dangerous. Thanks again for tbe information, have a great day, and safe travels! 🙂
Good warning. We’ll maybe have to double check some future travel plans .