Nature enthusiasts and tourists alike are buzzing about Yellowstone National Park’s newest feature – a thermal steam vent that’s impossible to miss. The rare phenomenon is just one of many changes that make America’s first national park a constantly evolving natural wonder. But it could signal increased activity in the area…which isn’t great news.
At a glance:
• A new thermal steam vent has appeared in Yellowstone, easily visible from a major road
• Located about a mile north of Norris Geyser Basin, the vent will be viewable from a pullout when roads open in April
• Scientists measured the steam at a scorching 171 degrees Fahrenheit last summer
• The vent is confirmed as new due to its thin coat of gray mud
• Despite ongoing thermal activity, experts say there’s no indication of an imminent volcanic eruption
America’s Most Dynamic National Park Gets Even More Exciting
Yellowstone National Park, America’s premier natural wonderland, has added another spectacular sight to its already impressive collection of geothermal features. The new thermal steam vent, first spotted last summer, has quickly become a point of interest for visitors who appreciate the raw power of nature on display.
Scientists confirmed that the vent, located about a mile north of the famous Norris Geyser Basin, is indeed a new feature thanks to the telltale thin coat of gray mud surrounding it. When park roads open in April, visitors will be able to safely view this impressive natural phenomenon from a convenient pullout.
Expert Insights on the New Thermal Feature
Mike Poland from the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory has been monitoring the development of the new thermal vent since its discovery. The scientific team measured the steam at an impressive 171 degrees Fahrenheit (77 degrees Celsius), adding to the park’s collection of more than 10,000 thermal features.
“The feature itself is new. That there would be a new feature is, you know, mundane. The noteworthy part was just that it was so noticeable. But the sort of overall idea that there would be a new feature that formed is pretty normal,” Poland explained.
The new vent is part of a larger, 200-foot area of warm ground and appears to be related to another feature that surfaced about 700 feet away in 2003. This demonstrates the constantly evolving nature of Yellowstone’s thermal landscape.
No Cause for Volcanic Alarm
Despite fascination with Yellowstone’s underground volcanic system, experts emphasize there’s no cause for alarm about an imminent eruption – at least for now. The volcano’s magma chamber lies 5 to 10 miles beneath the surface, with only 10% to 30% containing liquid magma.
The last major eruption occurred approximately 70,000 years ago, and scientists continually monitor the park for any significant changes. While the steam plume from the new vent diminished somewhat over winter months, visitors this summer may still witness this fascinating geological phenomenon.
As far as scientists know, we’re safe – but nobody can ever truly know when a volcano this large might go off.
Will you be visiting this summer?