NEWS: Hydrothermal Explosion at Yellowstone National Park Destroys Boardwalk, Frightens Tourists

Visitors at Biscuit Basin in Yellowstone National Park, an area of thermal activity north of Old Faithful, got more than they bargained for on Tuesday, July 23 when, at 10:19 AM, a jet of superheated water, silt, and mud shot into the sky. No one was hurt, amazingly, but the boardwalk was damaged and the area is currently closed to visitors.

This eruption is similar to one which occurred in 2009, also in Biscuit Basin. The NPS insists that such events are fairly common.

Considering that Yellowstone National Park is situated above a giant mega volcano, some could be forgiven for wondering if the explosion isn't indicative of an upcoming eruption. We've been told our whole lives, after all, that the next eruption is overdue.

Nevertheless, the National Parks Service assures us that "Today's explosion does not reflect a change in the volcanic system, which remains at normal background levels of activity."

Well, there you have it. Nothing to worry about.

Well, tell that to the folks who are seen in the video standing next to the sudden, unexpected geyser. And if this particular writer happened to have been standing there, you can be sure he would have thought, for at least a moment, that this might just be the big one.

The Parks Service, meanwhile is inspecting the boardwalk and preparing to make necessary repairs. They have stated that they will reopen the Biscuit Basin area when it is safe to do so.