Video captures small eruption at Yellowstone pool, 1 year after dangerous blast
A newly-installed webcam captured a hydrothermal eruption at Yellowstone National Park, less than a year after a sizeable explosion destroyed the same area.
The webcam captured a small eruption at Black Diamond Pool in Yellowstone's Biscuit Basin − just north of Old Faithful − at 8:39 p.m. MDT on May 31, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The webcam was installed on May 14 as a way to track hydrothermal activity at Black Diamond Pool following a dangerously large explosion at the site in July 2024. Though the May 31 eruption is the only one caught on official video, the USGS has received several reports of other sporadic eruptions over the past year.
Watch the eruption
"It is likely that these small eruptions are a result of the hydrothermal plumbing system for the pool adjusting after the major disruption of the larger explosion last summer," USGS Scientist-in-Charge Michael Poland told Paste BN.
What causes a hydrothermal explosion?
A hydrothermal explosion occurs when hot water in a volcano system turns into steam in a confined area. A sudden drop in pressure causes rapid expansion of the high-temperature fluids and a crater-forming eruption.
How the 2024 explosion at Biscuit Basin affected Black Diamond Pool
A larger, more dangerous hydrothermal explosion occurred at Biscuit Basin on July 23, 2024, sending steam and debris hundreds of feet in the area. A nearby boardwalk was destroyed and some of the rocks near the explosion site weighed hundreds of pounds, according to the National Park Service. Although visitors were at the basin during the explosion, no injuries were reported.
As a result of the explosion, Black Diamond Pool changed shape, the National Park Service reported.
As of June 3, the parking lot and boardwalk at Biscuit Basin remained closed due to the possibility of another hydrothermal event, the National Park Service's website stated.
Can you watch the livestream at home?
No. Livestreaming is not supported at Black Diamond Pool. However, video is recorded on-site and new images are posted on the U.S. Geological Survey website every 15 minutes.
Contributing: N'dea Yancey-Bragg, Paste BN
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at Paste BN. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.