On July 23, 2024, an unexpected hydrothermal eruption occurred at Biscuit Basin, north of the renowned Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park. At approximately 10 AM local time, visitors were startled as steam, dark-colored rocks, and dirt shot up into the sky, creating a dramatic spectacle. Online footage captured dozens of spectators initially observing the event from a nearby boardwalk, only to start fleeing as the eruption intensified.
Impact on Biscuit Basin and Visitor Safety
The sudden eruption caused significant damage to the infrastructure of Biscuit Basin, particularly the wooden boardwalks designed to protect and maintain a safe distance between visitors and the park’s geothermal features. Following the event, park officials promptly closed the affected area to assess and repair the damage. This closure was a precautionary measure to ensure visitor safety, as falling debris during the eruption had compromised the structural integrity of the pathways.
Eyewitness Accounts
Vlada March, a visitor from California and a real estate agent, described the event as sudden and overwhelming. “We saw more steam coming up, and within seconds, it became this huge thing,” she recounted. March, who her family accompanied, described the steam cloud as becoming so dense and expansive that it obscured the sun. Videos and photos posted by witnesses showed the chaos as people scrambled to safety, with some shouting warnings to others as the area around them was engulfed by debris.
