A ‘super volcano’ at Yellowstone National Park erupted dramatically, sending dark gray smoke high into the air and prompting tourists to run for cover.
The ‘localized hypothermal explosion’ happened near the Sapphire Pool in Biscuit Basi shortly after 10.15am on Tuesday, according to the National Park Service (NPS).
A video shared on social media showed the material bursting into the sky higher than the frame of the clip and white dust spreading around it.
‘S*** run, run, run, run, run,’ a woman could be heard yelling as the video became shaky.
Tourists walking away on a wooden boardwalk could be seen looking back beginning to run away from the explosion.
‘Biscuit basin at Yellowstone national park Montana just exploded right in front of us. Boardwalk destroyed, my mom got some of the debris but everyone is safe,’ wrote a Facebook user who shared the clip. ‘Unbelievable and grateful to be alive.’
Part of the boardwalk was damaged.
‘No injuries were reported and the extent of damage is unknown at this time,’ stated the NPS.
Biscuit Basin, including its boardwalks and parking lot, ‘are temporarily closed for safety reasons’, added the park service.
‘Park staff and staff from USGS will monitor conditions and reopen the area once deemed safe.’
The NPS stated that ‘today’s explosion does not reflect a change in the volcanic system, which remains at normal background levels of activity’.
Data did not show changes in the Yellowstone region environment.
The park service noted the incident is ‘evolving’.
Yellowstone geologists are investigating the eruption.
It happened about 2.1miles northwest of Old Faithful, a cone geyser that has small eruptions frequently and is a tradition for Yellowstone visitors to witness.
Hypothermal explosions take place when water suddenly becomes steam underground. They are ‘relatively common’ in America’s first national park, which is mostly in Wyoming but also reaches into areas of Montana and Idaho.
The last similar explosion at Biscuit Basin happened on May 17, 2009.
‘Super Volcano’ was trending on X shortly after Tuesday’s event.
The explosion happened just weeks after a Fourth of July shooting at Canyon Village in Yellowstone. Rangers shot the suspect dead after he made threats, according to the NPS.
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