ALARMING VIDEO: Massive eruption at Yellowstone sends tourists running for their lives

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From the Associated Press:  A surprise eruption that shot steam, water and dark-colored rock and dirt dozens of feet into the sky Tuesday sent people running for safety in Yellowstone National Park.

The hydrothermal explosion happened around 10 a.m. in Biscuit Basin, a collection of hot springs a couple miles (3.2 kilometers) north of the famous Old Faithful Geyser.

Video posted online showed a couple dozen people watching from a boardwalk as the eruption sprayed and grew in front of them. As water and debris began to fall, they ran to keep clear, some yelling “Back up!” and “Holy cow!” People then turned to watch the spectacle under a huge cloud of steam.

Tourist Vlada March posted videos of the terrifying incident on her Facebook page.

“@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. Unbelievable and grateful to be alive,” March wrote, sharing the first video.

March posted a second video showing the aftermath of the eruption.

“A few minutes after the Biscuit basin explosion at Yellowstone national park. Board walk destroyed,” she wrote.

In another post, March wrote, “This has never happened in the history of the park. The rangers arrived and closed it off. Boardwalk completely destroyed.”

Yellowstone National Park later posted photos, along with a statement about the surprise eruption.

  • 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.

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