Hydrothermal explosion at Yellowstone sends up geyser of rock and steam

Visitors were left running for safety at Yellowstone National Park after a hydrothermal explosion sent rock and steam spewing into the air north of the Old Faithful geyser Tuesday, park officials said.

Visitors ran for safety at Yellowstone National Park after a hydrothermal explosion sent rock and steam spewing into the air north of the Old Faithful geyser Tuesday, park officials said.

There were no injuries, and the extent of the damage from the blast, which occurred in Biscuit Basin, about 2 miles northwest of Old Faithful, at around 10:19 a.m., was unknown, the National Park Service said in a statement.

The type of explosion that happened Tuesday involves hot water and results in “the rapid ejection of boiling water, steam, mud, and rock fragments,” according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Park staff assess the damage to Biscuit Basin boardwalks after hydrothermal explosion in Yellowstone National Park.National Park ServiceVideo of the eruption showed people, including children, running as a column of black and gray material and vapor launched into the air.

Yellowstone is famed for its thermal features and hot pools.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/hydrothermal-explosion-yellowstone-geyser-rock-steam-rcna163349

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