Hydrothermal explosion closes portion of Yellowstone National Park

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wy. (KKTV/Gray News) – Biscuit Basin at Yellowstone National Park was closed on Tuesday following a hydrothermal explosion, according to park officials.

A Facebook post from Yellowstone National Park said the explosion happened near Sapphire Pool – about 2 miles north of Old Faithful – at about 10:19 a.m.

Biscuit Basin and nearby parking lots were closed for safety reasons. No injuries were reported.

Park staff and the United States Geological Survey will monitor the conditions and reopen the basin when they deem it safe.

“Hydrothermal explosions occur when water suddenly flashes to steam underground, and they are relatively common in Yellowstone,” the USGS said in a news release.

“Today’s explosion does not reflect activity within the volcanic system, which remains at normal background levels of activity,” the USGS continued. “Hydrothermal explosions like that of today are not a sign of impending volcanic eruptions, and they are not caused by magma rising towards the surface.”

The Facebook post from Yellowstone National Park also confirmed the explosion “does not reflect a change in the volcanic system, which remains at normal background levels of activity.”

Park officials said this is an evolving incident, and additional details will be shared as they become available.