Shocking video captures the moment Yellowstone geyser explodes, sending tourists running for their lives

A dramatic video shows the moment a geyser explosion in Yellowstone National Park sent dozens of visitors running.

Biscuit Basin, which is about 2 miles northwest of the famous Old Faithful Geyser, erupted at around 10:19AM on Tuesday (July 23).

One woman was visiting the national park with her mother and captured the moment the shocking event unfolded and left many visitors running for their lives off a boardwalk.

"@Biscuit basin at Yellowstone National Park Montana 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 penned in the caption.

As the hydrothermal explosion began to shoot steam, water, and dark-colored rocks and dirt dozens of feet into the sky, many began yelling “Back up!" and “Holy cow!"

The parkgoer posted a clip of the aftermath, revealing the damaged boardwalk - which is an elevated wooden walkway that keeps people off the park's delicate and often risky geothermal areas. The area was also flooded with water.

A few users have shared their reactions online, with one person writing: "I worked there last year… the entire Yellowstone national park is an active volcano that’s why they have hot springs and geysers like old faithful…. It’s waiting to erupt at anytime."

Another said: "You guys are too brave to go back.. I’d be driving out of the park!" while a third commented: "This shows how fragile life can be… Thank God you all are safe!!

Thankfully, there were no injuries, and the extent of the damage from the explosion was unknown, the National Park Service shared in a statement.

The agency added that it has not detected any other changes in the Yellowstone region, explaining: "Today’s explosion does not reflect a change in the volcanic system, which remains at normal background levels of activity."

Credit: George Rose / Getty

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said in a previous article that this type of explosion happens where "shallow interconnected reservoirs of fluids with temperatures at or near the boiling point underlie thermal fields," adding: "These fluids can rapidly transition to steam if the pressure suddenly drops."

USGC also explained that "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," per Washington State Standard.

The Biscuit Basin has been temporarily closed while geologists investigate the event.

Featured image credit: George Rose / Getty