Yellowstone News and Information

The Explosive Story of Excelsior Geyser By   Michael Poland Yellowstone Volcano Observatory   December 30, 2024 Long before the 2024 explosion of Black Diamond Pool brought renewed attention to hydrothermal hazards in Yellowstone National Park, there was Excelsior Geyser.  In the late 1800s, that feature set a standard for hydrothermal explosions. Yellowstone  Caldera  Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This week's contribution is from Michael Poland, geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey and Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory On the morning of July 23, 2024, a  hydrothermal explosion  from Black Diamond Pool in Biscuit Basin sent people running for cover.  The event was caused by liquid water flashing to steam in the clogged hot-water plumbing system just beneath the surface, and it sent steam, water, mud, and rocks several hundred ...

Digging into the history of hydrothermal explosions at Yellowstone’s Biscuit Basin In July 2024, a hydrothermal explosion at Black Diamond Pool sent muddy water and rocks hundreds of feet into the air. It’s far from the first time a feature in Biscuit Basin has experienced an explosive event. Yellowstone  Caldera  Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This week's contribution is from Tara Cross, Yellowstone Geology volunteer, and Mara H. Reed, PhD candidate at the University of California, Berkeley. Scientists are hard at work investigating the  hydrothermal explosion  on  July 23, 2024, at Black Diamond Pool in Biscuit Basin . An important part of understanding the recent activity involves investigating past similar events. And there have been several at Biscuit Basin. Sources/Usage: Public Domain.  View Media Details Aerial view of Black Opal Pool, Black Diamond Pool, and part of Wall...

  After grapefruit-sized rocks destroyed a boardwork in eruption, small explosions at Biscuit Basin possible

NEWS RELEASE Update on the July 23 Biscuit Basin hydrothermal explosion Biscuit Basin hydrothermal explosion: Boardwalk condition post-explosion. NPS / Jacob W. Frank News Release Date:  July 24, 2024 Contact:   Morgan Warthin (Yellowstone National Park) , 307-344-2015 Contact:   Mike Poland (USGS) Update on the July 23 Biscuit Basin hydrothermal explosion Date of release: July 24, 2024 USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-YVO-2024-07-24T21:27:48+00:00 YELLOWSTONE  (VNUM #325010) 44°25'48" N 110°40'12" W, Summit Elevation 9203 ft (2805 m) Current Volcano Alert Level: NORMAL Current Aviation Color Code: GREEN This is an update on the hydrothermal explosion that occurred just before 10 AM on Tuesday, July 23, in Biscuit Basin, Yellowstone National Park. National Park Service (NPS) field crews have completed a preliminary assessment of the conditions following the hydrothermal explosion at Black Diamond Pool. For a map showing the locations of the features in that area, see...

  Caldera Chronicles   Yellowstone's famous biscuits By  Yellowstone Volcano Observatory   May 15, 2023 Yellowstone's Upper Geyser Basin hosts the legendary Old Faithful, but it's also home to an isolated thermal group famous for its biscuits.  Though, only a few remain of a large batch that existed prior to 1959.  Yellowstone  Caldera  Chronicles is a weekly column written by scientists and collaborators of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. This week's contribution is from Wendy Stovall, volcanologist with the U.S. Geological Survey and Deputy Scientist-in-Charge of the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory. Sources/Usage: Public Domain. Sapphire Pool in Biscuit Basin, Yellowstone National Park, in about 1887. Bulbous-shaped geyserite knobs around the pool reminded the photographer, Frank Jay Haynes, of biscuits. Biscuit Basin is located three km (two mi) northwest of Old Faithful Village on the western side of the Grand Loop Road. The basin is with...