Huge Hydrothermal Explosion Shuts Down Part of Yellowstone Nationwide Park

DEVELOPING: A hydrothermal eruption caught on camera sends tourists fleeing the boardwalk at Biscuit Basin.

(Video/Vlada March)
The National Park Service released the following information:

• On Tuesday, July 23, at about 10:19 a.m., a localized hydrothermal explosion occurred near Sapphire Pool in Biscuit Basin, located just north of Old Faithful.  
• Biscuit Basin, including the parking lot and boardwalks, are temporarily closed for safety reasons. The Grand Loop Road remains open. 
• No injuries were reported, and the extent of damage is unknown at this time. 
• Park staff and staff from USGS will monitor conditions and reopen the area once deemed safe. 
• No other monitoring data show changes in the Yellowstone region. Today’s explosion does not reflect a change in the volcanic system, which remains at normal background levels of activity. 
• This is an evolving incident, and additional details will be shared as more facts are known. 
• Learn more about Yellowstone’s geology at Geology — Yellowstone National Park U.S. National Park Service

GearJunkie will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.