Hydrothermal Explosion at Yellowstone Damages Boardwalk, Sends Visitors Running: 'Unbelievable'

"No injuries were reported and the extent of damage is unknown at this time," the park said in a statement on July 23

A part of Yellowstone National Park is temporarily closed following a hydrothermal explosion this week.

On Tuesday, July 23, at approximately 10:19 a.m. local time, "a localized hydrothermal explosion occurred near Sapphire Pool in Biscuit Basin, located just north of Old Faithful," the National Park Service said in a release.

Officials added that no injuries had been reported and that "the extent of damage is unknown at this time."

"Biscuit Basin, including the parking lot and boardwalks, are temporarily closed for safety reasons. The Grand Loop Road remains open," the department's statement shared.

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Park staff will reopen the area once it's deemed safe, per the release.

"No other monitoring data show changes in the Yellowstone region. [The] explosion does not reflect a change in the volcanic system, which remains at normal background levels of activity," officials added.

A joint statement between Yellowstone National Park and the U.S. Geological Survey confirmed the boardwalk had been damaged and that "the explosion appears to have originated near Black Diamond Pool."

Related: 3-Year-Old Suffers Thermal Burns After Falling Into Scalding Water at Yellowstone National Park

Authorities went on to explain that hydrothermal explosions "occur when water suddenly flashes to steam underground, and they are relatively common in Yellowstone."

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"For example, Porkchop Geyser, in Norris Geyser Basin, experienced an explosion in 1989, and a small event in Norris Geyser Basin was recorded by monitoring equipment on April 15, 2024. An explosion similar to that of today also occurred in Biscuit Basin on May 17, 2009," officials noted.

"Hydrothermal explosions like that of today are not a sign of impending volcanic eruptions, and they are not caused by magma rising towards the surface," the statement continued on Tuesday.

In a 2022 article shared by the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, "Hydrothermal explosions require a sudden drop in pressure, which causes rapid expansion of high-temperature fluids, fragmentation, ejection of debris, and crater formation."

Yellowstone Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Michael Poland didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE.

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According to the Associated Press, Poland said he estimated that the explosion sent material about 100 feet into the air, judging by some of the videos shared.

California real estate agent Vlada March was among those sharing footage of the incident on social media, telling the AP that she was with her mom, husband and their two kids when the explosion occurred.

"Biscuit Basin at Yellowstone national park Wyoming 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," she wrote in a Facebook caption alongside a video that showed people running for safety.

“We saw more steam coming up and within seconds it became this huge thing,” March added. “It just exploded and became like a black cloud that covered the sun."

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