“Kablooey!”
That’s the word U.S. Geological Survey volcanic experts used to describe a muddy eruption at Black Diamond Pool in Yellowstone National Park on Saturday morning.
Video shared by the USGS on social media shows mud spraying up and out from the pool just before 9:23 a.m. in Biscuit Basin, about midway between park favorites Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic.
Other recent eruptions have mostly been audible and not visible, as they occurred at night or when obscured by ice. The agency reported that the Black Diamond Pool was previously the site of a hydrothermal explosion in July 2024, which sent rocks and mud flying hundreds of feet high, damaging a boardwalk and prompting closure of the area due to hazardous activity.
A series of 'dirty eruptions,' reaching up to 40 feet, have intermittently erupted since then. Researchers installed advanced monitoring equipment this summer, enhancing the park’s capabilities to detect and analyze eruptions more effectively.
The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory webcam at Black Diamond Pool did not disappoint on Saturday, providing a clear view of the muddy eruption against a picturesque winter backdrop. USGS Volcanoes remarked on social media, commenting on the rarity of being able to view these eruptions under clear blue skies.
Experts assert there is currently no recognizable pattern or precursors to these eruptions, underscoring the unpredictable nature of Yellowstone's geothermal features. Park officials note that Yellowstone hosts the world's most extensive concentration of hot springs, geysers, mud pots, and fumaroles, incorporating over 10,000 hydrothermal features, including more than 500 geysers.
