Yellowstone Volcano Update; Major Hydrothermal Explosion Causes Damage

[@GeologyHub]

While this hydrothermal was the largest to occur within the park since 1986, it was thankfully a far cry from the massive 7,200 foot wide Mary's Bay Crater which formed 13,800 years ago.

[@supertornadogun1690]

Now that would have some insane video

[@russellsellers1409]

For good reason...

[@elijahhoppe7856]

Which explosion was in 1986?

[@Joe-j5j1u]

Yea the Mary Bay explosion would have killed everyone within a mile or 2 at least.

[@chadsimmons6347]

Can we buy a GeologyHub sticker for hard-hats? Im not going near the park,,without one! (thankx-professor)

[@zman1064]

I knew that it was being overly dramatized. Good analysis.

[@ManiacRacing]

Very well done. No hype, just facts.

[@alexdrockhound9497]

Thats what makes this channel so awesome.

[@NEbluefire]

I'm a little disappointed.

[@ScreamingInSong]

This guy is amazing. Just science and facts. Nothing else.

[@thatonewwefanguy2006]

I’m glad there’s always facts and no fluff, thank you.

[@EatsLikeADuck]

No, this minor thermal event does not mean "the big one is starting."

[@P4hs]

I'm sure that crossed everyone-there's mind.

[@TheJohnny928]

How do you know?

[@Tardenglobe2346]

You are wrong! The great happening is happening! ... It's over.

[@adriantheo7654]

​@@Tardenglobe2346troll

[@VlogsIWC]

Hey, I’m just gonna be “Yellow” stoned if we all die from this thing😏

[@hugodesrosiers-plaisance3156]

You're the source I always go to first when stuff happens. Thank you for your work! 👌

[@artcurious807]

any major Yellowstone eruption would be preceded months in advance by multiple warning signs including 1) ground uplift on a wide scale 2) SO2 emissions X1000 3) widespread ground temperature increases 4) harmonic tremors 5) geyser cycle disruptions

[@SvendleBerries]

Arnt all those things happening though? I mean, scientists keep saying we are due for an eruption, pointing to all the signs suggesting that it could happen soon (in geologic terms; maybe within our lifetime, maybe longer), only to turn around and say that there is nothing to worry about when something out of the ordinary happens...I mean, wouldnt a geyser exploding count as a "cycle disruption"?

[@alexdrockhound9497]

According to Illinois University it would only be possible after about 1000 years of tremendous uplift, creating an entire mountain range in the process.

[@Leyrann]

Make that years, perhaps decades or even centuries.

[@alexdrockhound9497]

@@Leyrann millennia

[@elijahhoppe7856]

@@SvendleBerries Scientists are not saying we are due for an eruption.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

Wow, those folks were very lucky

[@mreese8764]

The boardwalk was badly damaged. No person would likely have survived that beating. Luckily there was nobody there.

[@JakeAvatar1]

Did you see the video, there were plenty of people there.​@mreese8764

[@GRosa]

​@@mreese8764Shawn Willsey's YT channel has a video of people fleeing the scene filmed by a visitor.

[@RCmaniac1231]

The first thing that came to mind when I heard about this was the White Island disaster

[@ThatOpalGuy]

@@mreese8764 indeed. between blunt force, the hot water, and the acidic nature of that water....

[@r.awilliams9815]

I'm guessing some tourists needed a quick change of underwear after that.

[@BrilliantDesignOnline]

🙂

[@alexdrockhound9497]

There were 2-3 small children right next to it when it went off.

[@willythemailboy2]

This is why you don't invite a geyser to Taco Tuesday.

[@EnlightnMe48]

It should hammer home the need to respect the park rules. Imagine what would happen if they weren't on the boardwalk, but walking around the geyser6

[@NEbluefire]

@@alexdrockhound9497 The operative word is WERE.

[@voyagerwitch]

the Yellowstone volcano's status didn't even come to mind for me. I'm just glad no tourists strayed or were knocked off the boardwalk as a result. a hot spring death is way more horrifying than a classic eruption.

[@geneticepistomology]

Saw this reported on the news, I’ve been waiting for the explanation (from you). Non-geologist here.

[@briebel2684]

Same. Saw it on social media, and figured I'd wait for an explanation from somebody that knows what caused it. People love to freak out before getting facts.

[@navy4735]

same here lol.

[@mikeneely6190]

USGS on facebook was quick to put out reports on this and gave good explanations/analysis periodically during the day. They even gave a more detailed reports of the numerous hydrothermal explosions that have occurred recently

[@geneticepistomology]

@@mikeneely6190 This channel has a reputation of providing trustworthy information for layman.

[@geneticepistomology]

@@mikeneely6190 I haven’t used Facebook in over 10 years

[@chrystal5665]

My husband sent me the video of the explosion and I went straight to your page to look for your explanation 😊 Had to settle for USGS update yesterday evening to know that it wasn't an eruption. But I'm so happy that you put a much better explanation up here for me to show him. You're the best at making this stuff easy ❤

[@J.G.H.]

Was wonder if you'd make a second "emergency" update when I saw this! Really spectacular event, and no injuries.

[@AaronGeo]

The end world conspiracy theorists are gonna go buckwild with this one

[@moderndissident5930]

They already are

[@jeffatkinson3288]

Just wait until November 😉

[@Theranthrope]

"Conspiracy theory" just means "spoiler."

[@calex9398]

Omens 😂

[@maxcollins2000]

I was until I found this video

[@fuurinkazan164]

Just gotta say, I appreciate your videos. It's been almost 20 years since I did first year geology in university and your channel scratches that itch. Also, on this video you did great coverage of what I'd only seen clips of till now. Please keep up the great work!

[@elisemoore8044]

This is such a helpful and timely video. Thank you!

[@BrilliantDesignOnline]

Wow, excellent report. I had not heard that this had happened; at first it seemed counterintuitive to me, but now I understand how a pressure drop could cause an event like this. Glad no-one was hurt, 20 pound rocks falling could not end well.

[@TheSpaceEnthusiast-vl6wx]

Thanks so much, Geology Hub. I was waiting eagerly for this! I wish people truly know that systems like this produce a huge array of activity, not just a huge, explosive eruption.

[@kma3647]

Seriously, this channel is a breath of fresh air. All I've heard about this event up until now was an endless stream of mommy bloggers trying like heck to sensationalize whatever footage they managed to get when it happened so they can monetize it. It's been a circus of increasingly hyperbolic end of the world claims from people who don't know anything about this stuff.

[@StormWarningMom]

Ok, thank you for clearing the air regarding hydrothermal vs. phreatic explosions. Learned something new today!

[@vykx88]

Thank you for the breakdown. I saw this on the news and was very skeptical when they said that it has nothing to do with a volcano. They really didn't explain why.

[@marthamacburnie8727]

I've watched a few videos about this and this one gives the best information, the most concisely. Thank you

[@Trassik]

From your previous videos i was comfortable when seeing video footage of considering that I was viewing a hydrothermal event. I can say that Yellowstone volcano never even entered my mind. Thank you.

[@russellcollins52]

Thank you, you answered all my questions about what had happened and educated me on the difference between a thermal explosion and a phreatic eruption.

[@skeeterwaite-thario6155]

You are the only one I watch . Thank you for all your information! You're the best!

[@xwiick]

Thanks for all the hard work on these videos!

[@nostromo7928]

I'm just glad that no one was hurt. It would have scared the shite out of me.

[@chribm]

Thank you for the update. Good information.

[@Johnrich395]

Thank you for the calm fact based analysis.

[@The_Red_Legion]

Thank you for the fast update!

[@petepal55]

Nobody can say you don't give your customers what they ask for!

[@emilybeantree]

I had to come to your page to get the facts after seeing dramatic videos on TikTok. Thank you for laying out the reality of this event.

[@rosspayne2235]

Geo hub giving it to us straight 😊 thanks for your daily reports 😊

[@beyerdr]

As soon as I saw the videos hit Facebook I was waiting for your video on it.

[@loganskiwyse7823]

I had not heard of this happening, why am I not surprised people got this wrong. From the perspective of the Yellowstone system not only was this not volcanic it was a common geothermal event of no real significance.

[@mcrgrooves]

kudos on the graphics

[@Red_Baron.VR1915]

?

[@Max_Chooch]

Like taking the cap off of a hot radiator

[@Syritis]

thats probably the best analogy i've heard all day

[@barbarajarrett3185]

I've been waiting for this video. ❤

[@dianneledford3681]

I wait for you to Explain anything I hear about any type of Experience such as this an Truly Appreciate the Coverage and Updates you provide to us Non Geologists.

[@chrispy_091]

The internet when literally anything happens at Yellowstone: "Oh yeah! The Big one is coming! END TIMES ARE NEAR!!!" GeologyHub: "Actually..." *Proceeds to make an excellent video explaining what actually happened. The Internet: "...you're no fun."

[@cyankirkpatrick5194]

I seen the explosion on inside edition and was curious if you would make a video about this, and then I waited for your calm explanation.

[@MichaelAbbott-sl2di]

Love your commentary. Thank you for knowledge and interesting content. ❤❤

[@SpeechCourse1969-rv5jm]

I was at Yellowstone yesterday, beautiful place I highly recommend going.

[@jeanlaws8210]

Thank you for the explanation video!

[@lezivanerrol3697]

Great reporting and factual matter here.👍 I wish that the general media include this video along with their reports instead of forecasting doom and gloom.

[@Necrophite78]

I can only laugh at all the panicking people that do not understand geology thinking this was a volcanic eruption.

[@LadyAnuB]

GH, When I saw a video of this event, I was thinking phreatomagmatic eruption but the all-black eruption said that it wasn't so I waited upon your analysis to explain what this eruption was

[@TheCorpsehatch]

Reddit and Twitter were blowing this way out of proportion after it happened. Anyone that knows they smallest amount about volcanoes and specifically Yellowstone knows this was not a volcanic event.

[@LittleBlueOwl318]

Hell, I'm just a midwest grandma with a high school diploma and even I knew this wasn't volcanic... just an angry little geyser. If it was volcanic those people would've all been dead and the damage would have extended waaaaaaay more than just a few hundred feet. Some folks obviously don't remember or weren't around for Mt St Helen's and it shows.

[@Astrofrank]

Many other channels: 15 minutes talking about "Yellowstone will erupt" GeologyHub: less than 5 minutes of facts, including some explanations why an "eruption is not possible"

[@trippybruh1592]

This is one of those events where everybody would think you are exaggerating unless you recorded it.

[@robertbate5790]

Thank you for this report. I did see a local geologist quick of the mark to refute volcanic activity, and video footage. Yellowstone gets far and away too much bad press. 👍👍🇬🇧

[@luannvondracek439]

Thanks for your succinct explanation.

[@annehaight9963]

This is amazing because I was at that very spot around this time last year, on that boardwalk that is now destroyed. Spectacular stuff and we also got the see the Beehive geyser erupt. There's a lot of power trapped under the ground there, and when the water moves, it moves with force!

[@LettyKLT]

I didn’t even bother reading any articles on the event - just waited for when you made a video.😂

[@robinguertin574]

Thank you, GH.

[@Geyser_Guy]

Thank you for covering this topic however one thing is inaccurate. It was Black Diamond pool that exploded not wall pool

[@michaelpoland529]

Correct! Wall pool was a source of a small explosion in 2009.

[@treborg777]

Yellowstone got bored of harassing tourists with large wildlife, tried something different.

[@lornkern3276]

I saw the video, but didn't bother with news updates until you posted about it XD

[@EnlightnMe48]

When the Geology Hub guy starts off with "Oh, f*$#!" That's when I'll be concerned. If he's not worried I'm not worried.

[@castamere3368]

ignoring that that would likely mean the destruction of a massive area of land. That would be something to hear him say.

[@EnlightnMe48]

@@castamere3368 🙂 He doesn't overly hype anything happening. He calmly states scientific explanation of what's going on with the planet. I'm hoping he at least lets us know when it's finally time we should put the lipstick on to kiss our butts goodbye. 🙂

[@donaldscheer5206]

I Can Always Depend On Your Factual Information!

[@gavinchaston8105]

I know that if I was there witnessing the explosion, I would've thought it phreatic in nature. Thanks for dispelling misinformation!

[@castamere3368]

Honestly, probably not the wisest thing to do, but I would likely walk back a few feet and just pulled out my phone and recorded it. This was not known it would happen, but that area is VERY well known for making similar, but far smaller explosions.

[@allenra530]

A few years ago, Excelsior Geyser blew out in a hydrothermal event which created a larger crater than today's event. It is located in Midway Geyser Basin and is just northwest of Grand Prismatic Spring.

[@castamere3368]

if i'm not wrong, it was actually a similar height explosion (the excelsior one being vaguely estimated at 300+ and this one at 370+) however the excelsior one was practically 200 feet wide, while this one was only a few dozen feet wide. As you can imagine as it was in the 1800's the explosion height estimation for excelsior is quite rough and inaccurate, could be way higher.

[@TroutWest]

You say not caused by the magma chamber.... But what heats that water hoss?

[@enno9612]

While the magma chamber is the cause for the heat, the explosion doesn't occur due to changes in the magmatic system (intruding magma) but rather changes in the hydrothermal system (drop of pressure that allows the water to flash to steam) (As far as I understand it)

[@RaccCity55]

The water is heated by the surrounding rocks trapping it underground, which are heated by the magma far below for who knows ow long. Not directly connect ed volcano or magma chamber.

[@emanz805]

All you people saying that the world is going to end just calm down nothing's going to happen we're all fine

[@jenniferbeyer6412]

The people who were there must have thought that it was an eruption, and this was the beginning, and lava was going to appear. The filming of the explosion was amazing. And the scientists are going to have a great time analyzing it. Glad no one got hurt.

[@davesatxify]

Thank you

[@llamalover02]

Non-scientific thought: maybe Yellowstone got annoyed and is attempting to remind folks to leave the damn buffalo alone?

[@patrickmcmillan8285]

I’m not clear on the sudden pressure drop caused by a blockage of a geyser. In a connected system, wouldn’t blocking a vent cause higher pressure? or does it mean the large drop in pressure is caused by when these blockages are broken releasing the pressure?

[@joejank1071]

Appreciate your measured coverage as always. If I may, what could lead to such a drop in pressure? I can mostly wrap my head around steam expansion related to phreatic eruptions and the like, but the drop in pressure you mentioned in this instance leaves me feeling like I'm missing something.

[@castamere3368]

In general there are two ways that hydrothermal explosions occur, first is when the water level suddenly drops, allowing superheated water to flash to steam. Which is likely what did NOT happen here Second is when gradually over time the vent providing the water gets narrower and narrower due to the water depositing sinter (name for rock that hydrothermal water releases). Then eventually the vent fully closes off, causing more and more pressure until something moves, allowing a sudden decrease in pressure. This is the most likely example of what happened there.

[@joejank1071]

@@castamere3368 appreciate it!

[@MrDan708]

It's a fascinating place because it is not static; hydrothermal features come and go. Now and then, you get a reminder like this that a visit to Yellowstone is not without risk.

[@xwiick]

Do anyone living today. so we should keep that in mind in planning for our kids kids.

[@castamere3368]

indeed. I wonder if this explosion, due to it's size. Will alter how the pool works. I know that one of the nearby pools got absorbed due to this, but wonder if theres gonna be any occasional boiling or small eruptions due to the change.

[@StuffandThings_]

Since so many people get obsessed with Yellowstone, it might be worth presenting a video of every _other_ volcano which you consider to be more likely to produce a VEI 8 (or upper end 7) than Yellowstone in the near geologic future.

[@BlueLordStan]

I first heard about this explosion on social media, but the guy was claiming that this was related to a pending eruption. One thing I like about watching videos on this channel as I get a lot of facts that helps me understand what’s going on, plus I already knew that Yellowstone was not about to erupt because of this channel.

[@Escapenurse01]

People who live near here for years say this happens occasionally.

[@castamere3368]

it happens frequently actually. the last on was april of this year, and theres also occasionally other decently sized explosions.

[@ultraviolet7838]

Ironically, I just finished reading “The Yellowstone Directive” today. Would recommend.

[@tunedime]

Amazing thank you

[@hujiko44745278184]

I saw a video purported to be in the vicinity showing visibly glowing magma in a vent/crevasse. I wonder if youve also seen it, and if it further collaborates shallow magma.

[@AndyDrake-FOOKYT]

I figured something had shifted or plugged the vents allowing pressure to build within. Interesting that it was kinda the opposite.

[@denverevangelista7860]

people need to see this video !!!

[@michiganrailfan2141]

Just an idea for a future video, at least something I would be interested in. I'm currently working in Idaho and drive past The Three Buttes and A massive lava field. I haven't been able to find much information about them, but I would be interested to know more about them.

[@michaelpoland529]

Here's one of the YVO Caldera Chronicles articles with more information: www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/news/big-buttes-eastern-snake-river-plain

[@StuffandThings_]

It honestly reminds me a lot of the pictures and descriptions of the Waimangu geyser in New Zealand while it was still active, albeit a one off event. Really makes me wonder if Waimangu erupted more like a repeated hydrothermal explosion event as opposed to a traditional geyser. Neat to see video footage of a hydrothermal explosion in action.

[@TheSpaceEnthusiast-vl6wx]

This!

[@b.a.erlebacher1139]

Geysers are very similar but not quite the same. A geyser's "plumbing" has bends in it so ends up with water in some of these bends after an eruption. These water locks allow steam pressure to build up until it gets high enough to blow the water out of the bends. Then repeat. This is why some geysers have a more or less steady repeat cycle.

[@castamere3368]

I'm not familiar with the specifics on waimangu, but that being said. There are a decent handful of example where there was a hydrothermal explosion multiple times in a row (in a cadence of a few a year). So it is very possible.

[@PassTheGreenPlox]

Been many quakes here on Big Island. Wonder if she's gonna flow again soon 😅😅

[@ellenchavez2043]

A minor thermal event by itself is not indicative of anything. However, geologists are noting rises and falls in areas over the caldera itself. There are sensors throughout the park to keep an eye of magma movement.

[@elijahhoppe7856]

Yellowstone is one of the most monitored volcanoes. Much of the rising and falling is due to water levels in the soil.

[@castamere3368]

There are sensors in the park, however the ground is actually subsiding (going down)

[@WWZenaDo]

Dam, I looked up the definition of a phreatic eruption online and the USGS definition of a phreatic eruption is: "Phreatic eruptions are steam-driven explosions that occur when water beneath the ground or on the surface is heated by magma, lava, hot rocks, or new volcanic deposits." ...Now I have to go back and re-do my comment on another channel...

[@karlbrundage7472]

Every Vulcanologist in the US has affirmed that the "hot spot" of magma beneath the North American Plate has migrated away from the vicinity of the Yellowstone Caldera and thus is no longer a threat of catastrophic eruption. Yes, Yellowstone and its environs will continue to exhibit volcanic/hydrothermal features, but is not a danger of catastrophic eruption...............................

[@montanabirdmommy]

Please put the name. Biscuit Basin. Can barely hear it in the video.

[@DaGoonR]

Just a burp. It's Yellowstone after all, that's a pretty bubbly place.

[@just_kos99]

I read a while back, not sure when, that Yellowstone's magma was at 5-15% melt, and now you say it's at 28%? That seems like a significant increase.

[@enno9612]

The change is not due to changes in the magma chamber but both numbers being from different Sudies years apart. They just became better at calculating the amount of molten material.

[@mikeneely6190]

@@enno9612 and newer better equipment for data collection

[@MindfulAshley]

That would be wild to be one of those tourists

[@JaydragonM]

I still don't understand what caused the drop in pressure, did the sinter break under the pressure and the release then caused a flash over to steam?

[@codym5352]

I figured it was just a large pocket of gas releasing or something. Definitely didn't think it was volcanic

[@majirayne1063]

Yeah first comment again! Because i love this show! I share it with friends and colleagues.

[@Silverbirchleaf]

I was just told 'Yellowstone is waking up' so came here for the actual facts

[@RealMTBAddict]

It's not

[@Silverbirchleaf]

Yes I'm aware. It was obviously hyperbole someone had seen on tiktok, so I went to a reliable source for geological news

[@Mark_Dyer1]

The Yellowstone Park Authority could take a lesson from English Heritage at 'Stonehenge': keep their boardwalks miles away from the sight people are paying to see!

[@castamere3368]

that doesn't entirely work though. With how dynamic Yellowstone is, a peaceful pool it goes by could suddenly become a geyser, or explode. Or a new geyser could suddenly appear right next to the board walk, such as what happened last year.

[@Mark_Dyer1]

@@castamere3368 Sorry, my remark was intended to be 'tongue-in-cheek'; and to be rude to the QUANGO 'English Heritage'.

[@damonroberts7372]

Not volcanic but still big news. It is incredibly fortunate that no-one was killed, given that areas of boardwalk (which you would assume "safe") were damaged. I'm not claiming to be an expert, but I can see this completely changing the perception of risk to visitors by the park management authority, especially in a nation like the US where people are quick to involve lawyers.

[@castamere3368]

not exactly. This may change things as it was done in a era where information is so much more available, but this has happened before, and is known to happen. This pool system including Black Diamond Pool, Black Opal Pool, and Wall Pool (Black Diamond was the source of this one). Has exploded multiple times in the early-mid 1900's, and 2009 (although the 2009 ones were way smaller, around 1/4 to 1/6 as large) Also, Excelsior geyser crater was caused by an explosion in 1880's. There is also many other small explosions that could have harmed people such as Porkchop geyser in 1989, and theres even geysers where an eruption could harm someone, such as steamboat geyser which they had to replace a sign because it was split in half do to a rock hitting it.

[@legopotter8295]

Fear mongering does nothing for the better of humanity.

[@lvlndco]

Curious question, if Yellowstone 'decided' it wanted to do a big eruption how long would it take for enough magma to melt for that to happen?

[@SangSaner]

Probably 100,000 years from now

[@castamere3368]

that is quite hard to say. At minimum at few thousand years. However, the hotspot that is providing heat for yellowstone is moving away (heading north east) so it is entirely possible that by the time it could, it will have moved too far away and would just start to cool down again.

[@SangSaner]

@@castamere3368 best to see yellowstone cool down for a good 600,000 years

[@evawilldrive]

Thanks for an up to date news.

[@chrisbrown1462]

Amazing there was no injuries.

[@galimirnund6543]

The earth was letting off some gas...

[@GAMakin]

Rumour has it that Black Bean Soup was to blame...

[@LarryLaird-if6sc]

When steam flashes it can be explosive, luckily no one was hurt 😊