Yellowstone National Park announced on X that a “hydrothermal explosion” occurred earlier today near Sapphire Pool in Biscuit Basin, just north of Old Faithful.

(Heads Up!) Biscuit Basin in Yellowstone National Park temporarily closed due to hydrothermal explosion. More info: https://t.co/tcDR8oRNSx pic.twitter.com/YP7CkwNrQR

— Yellowstone National Park (@YellowstoneNPS) July 23, 2024

Park rangers provided more color on their website about the incident:  

Biscuit Basin, including the parking lot and boardwalks, are temporarily closed for safety reasons. The Grand Loop Road remains open. 

No injuries were reported and the extent of damage is unknown at this time. 

Park staff and staff from USGS will monitor conditions and reopen the area once deemed safe. 

Dramatic video footage of the rapid ejection of boiling water, steam, mud, and rock fragments captured by tourists has surfaced on X. 

🚨#BREAKING: Onlookers and tourists run for their lives as Biscuit Basin geyser erupts and explodes throwing hot boiling water and debris into the air

📌#Yellowstone | #Wyoming

Watch as wild and frightening footage capturing crowds of tourists and onlookers desperately… pic.twitter.com/WB0ldAGHz8

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) July 23, 2024

Hydrothermal explosions can reach heights of 1.2 miles high, ejecting mostly breccia (angular rocks cemented by clay). 

Park rangers said, “Today’s explosion does not reflect a change in the volcanic system, which remains at normal background levels of activity.”