Biscuit Basin Explosion
335,680
Published 2024-07-25
Yellowstone's hydrothermal (hot water) system is powered by a cooling magma reservoir several miles beneath the surface. Even though the presence of hot water near the surface is partially due to that magma, this explosion was not triggered by changes in the magmatic system, like magma interacting with groundwater to cause it to convert to steam.
Rather, the event was rooted in the very shallow hydrothermal system, where transitions between liquid water and steam are common and can occur when silica (dissolved in the water) clogs hot water conduits, causing changes in pressure that may lead to explosions.
Mike Poland, scientist-in-charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, talks about this previously underappreciated hazard and how it recently gained a little more respect
USGS video: www.usgs.gov/media/videos/hydrothermal-explosion-y…
All Comments (21)
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"Whew! That was a narrow escape. Now let's go over and pet those fluffy cows."
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Every single person in the proximity of that event was astonishingly fortunate, and many of them were children. That entire situation could have turned out horrifyingly worse.
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Glad no one was hurt! Yellowstone is an amazing place!
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The dynamics of a living planet. This event was tiny in scale, a reminder that Earth events of varying scales happen and we can't do anything about them.
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Given the looks of that boardwalk, I think we were lucky that no one was hurt.
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Thanks for all the great explanations and data! You're doing a great job!
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As soon as I heard about this I was looking forward to your report! Great work, as usual. Never a dull moment at Yellowstone!
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Safety glasses and my hard hat on each time I visit Yellowstone National Park.
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USGS, I saw this same image with flames in it on another YT site. I ignored its end-of-the-world headline title and told myself to wait for the objective truth. And here it is. From actual geologists. Can you sue people who steal your stuff, efface it with a lie, and seek gain for it? I know you probably can’t but I wish you could. Thanks for the truth. Blessings on your good work for our country.
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Thanks for the facts and the alternate video!
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You're a good speaker and reporter. Thanks for the great report!
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I'm glad this video exists. Short, concise, and intelligent explanations of current events help to keep the peace.
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Gentle reminder to all of you "end times" weirdos, this has been happening for billions of years.
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As crazy as Yellowstone is I will go there one day I think I just have to see it for myself !! This USGS channel is the best they provide so much information and great videos thanks so much !!!!
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Thanks. I was just there at the end of June and early July and the Biscuit Basin area was very active and beautiful.
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Thanks for debunking all the conspiracy theories with this video.
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For a government agency, that was a surprisingly, clear, concise, and informative video. It was just the perfect length it needed to be. Didn't drag out the information and gave enough insight in a short amount of time. Good work. Now wouldn't it be nice if the Secret Service or the FBI could follow the USGS lead and provide us with clear, concise reporting of events that relate to national security.
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Very cool event! I was there two years ago and fished in the Firehole River. Amazing to see the steam rising from Biscuit Basin while trout fishing in a cold stream!
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Good to see you, Mike! Thanks for the timely update.
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Thank you very much, Mike. Wow. What a mess!
