Scientists at Yellowstone National Park have made an intriguing discovery – a new hydrothermal feature that has emerged in a previously tranquil area of the Norris Geyser Basin. The team noticed a gaping hole filled with milky blue water, surrounded by rocks and silt, which suggests a violent birth. Initial observations indicated a single major explosive event, but further analysis revealed it formed through multiple small events.
According to USGS geophysicist Michael Poland and Yellowstone National Park geologist Jeff Hungerford, the feature likely developed due to rocks being thrown followed by silica mud, creating a small pit that filled with silica-rich water. This news is welcome as one of the reasons scientists closely monitor Yellowstone’s hydrothermal activity is its potential for massive explosive eruptions, which it is, in fact, a supervolcano.
The discovery was reported in the USGS Caldera Chronicles and provides insight into the complex processes governing Yellowstone’s geothermal activity.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/a-gaping-hole-full-of-milky-blue-water-has-appeared-at-yellowstone