Geological analysis has revealed more details about the cause of last weeks spectacular eruption at Yellowstone National Park.
Geologists concluded that the rocks were composed of glacial materials, sandstone, siltstone, and gravel.
All of these materials are found relatively close to the surface.
Some of the rocks dislodged by the underground explosion at Yellowstone on July 23 weighed hundreds of pounds.© Lauren Harrison/United States Geological Survey
This is not surprising, because hydrothermal conduits mostly exist at shallow levels beneath the surface in Yellowstone.
Instead, the pressure built up until it was stronger than the rock above it.Then, kaboom!
Among the possibilities is that the burst cleared the way for a new geyser to form.
An aerial view of the area on the day of the explosion, July 23, 2024. Image: Joe Bueter, Yellowstone National Park
Or, now that the pressure has dissipated, a return to the status quo could be in order.
Explosions of this sort arent unusual in Yellowstone.
In 2018, a similar, albeit far smaller,explosionoccurred near the famous Old Faithful geyser.
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