Yellowstone National Park closed off the Biscuit Basin thermal area for the rest of the season following a hydrothermal explosion that occurred on Tuesday. The explosion sent visitors running for safety as steam, rock, and mud were sent flying. The blast destroyed the boardwalk that guests walk on but fortunately, no one was injured.
Hydrothermal explosions occur when hot water in a volcano system turns into steam in a confined area, leading to a rapid expansion of high-temperature fluids and a crater-forming eruption. While these explosions can be violent and reach significant heights, they are not an indicator of an impending volcanic eruption. The supervolcano beneath Yellowstone is capable of massive eruptions, but there are typically warning signs such as earthquakes, changes in hot spring chemicals, and ground shifts before any major event.
Although a supereruption from the Yellowstone supervolcano could be catastrophic, it is not likely to happen for thousands of years. If it were to occur, it would have significant impacts on the planet, including millions of casualties, contamination of water sources, and changes in climate for years. However, experts believe that humanity would ultimately survive such an event.
Photo credit
www.usatoday.com