Kablooey! That’s the term U.S. Geological Survey volcanic experts used to describe a muddy eruption from Black Diamond Pool in Yellowstone National Park on Saturday morning.
Footage shared by the USGS on social media captures mud spraying from the pool just before 9:23 a.m. at Biscuit Basin, located between the popular attractions Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic. Recent eruptions had largely been inaudible and unseen due to nighttime occurrences or obscured views from ice.
Previously, Black Diamond Pool had been the site of a hydrothermal explosion in July 2024, projecting rocks and mud high into the air and damaging surrounding structures, leading to area closures for visitor safety. Following that event, eruptions labeled as dirty have sporadically occurred, frequently reaching heights of up to 40 feet (about 12 meters).
To monitor these changes, researchers installed advanced cameras and seismic and acoustic monitoring stations, which, together with temperature sensors, enhance the detection and analysis of eruptions.
The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory captured Saturday’s eruption on camera, reveling in a clear view against the backdrop of snow-covered surroundings, showcasing the fascinating geothermal activities of the area. USGS noted that over the past 19 months, such dirty eruptions have become a significant characteristic of this geothermal hotspot.
Experts observe no discernible pattern or precursors preceding the eruptions at Black Diamond Pool. Yellowstone is home to an astounding collection of geothermal features, with over 10,000 hydrothermal features and more than 500 geysers, making it a breathtaking example of Earth's geological dynamism.
