Biscuit Basin event compared to ‘significant explosion’ at Excelsior Geyser in Midway Geyser Basin in 1880s
EBS STAFF
In a July 24 press release, Yellowstone National Park and the U.S. Geological Survey announced that Biscuit Basin will be closed for the rest of the park’s summer season. On July 23, an explosion at the shallow hydrothermal area under Black Diamond Pool resulted in damage to the surrounding boardwalk. Videos show visitors surprised and moving quickly out of the way and off the boardwalk during the explosion.
“The explosion, which sent steam and debris to a height of hundreds of feet above the ground, destroyed a nearby boardwalk and ejected grapefruit-sized rocks tens to hundreds of feet from the source,” the release stated. Some rocks close to the explosion site are three feet wide and weigh hundreds of pounds according to the release.
Both Black Diamond Pool and Black Opal Pool were affected by the explosion—the pools are murky due to debris, the unstable ground around the edges sometimes slide into the water, and Black Diamond Pool’s shape has “changed somewhat.”
On Wednesday morning, following rising water in both pools, water from the features overflowed into the nearby Firehole River.
“Given the recent changes to the hydrothermal plumbing system, small explosions of boiling water from this area in Biscuit Basin continue to be possible over the coming days to months,” the release stated. “USGS and NPS geologists will be monitoring conditions, mapping the debris field, and sampling water to assess any changes in the shallow hydrothermal system over the next several days.”
The release compared the July 23 explosion to one that occurred in the 1880s at the Excelsior Geyser in the Midway Geyser Basin.
The Biscuit Basin area will be closed for the remainder of the 2024 season.
