YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — A minor hydrothermal eruption at Yellowstone National Park’s Black Diamond Pool was recorded on video Saturday evening, marking the first time such an event has been visually documented since a larger explosion in 2024.
The eruption occurred at 8:39 p.m. on May 31 and was captured by a newly installed webcam overlooking the Biscuit Basin area. The camera, operational since May 14, was placed specifically to monitor activity at Black Diamond Pool following a hydrothermal explosion on July 23, 2024.
According to a social media post from USGS Volcanoes, this is the first video-recorded eruption at the site since last summer’s incident. However, evidence from scientific monitoring and eyewitness accounts suggests intermittent eruptions have taken place in the months following the 2024 event.
The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) confirmed in its May update that volcanic and seismic activity in the park remains at background levels. The observatory recorded 119 earthquakes during the month, the most significant being a magnitude 2.7 quake located roughly seven miles north of Lake Yellowstone on May 26. YVO emphasized that this level of seismicity is typical for the region.
Steamboat Geyser, another notable hydrothermal feature in Yellowstone, has shown little activity since its most recent major eruption on April 14. Observers note that this may indicate a prolonged period of dormancy.
As part of its ongoing monitoring efforts, YVO deployed semi-permanent GPS stations across the park in May to measure ground deformation. Preliminary data show that the Yellowstone Caldera has subsided by approximately three centimeters (1.2 inches) since October 2024, continuing a gradual trend that began around 2015-2016. Minor ground movement was also detected near the Norris Geyser Basin, though no new deformation has been observed in that area over the past two months.
Looking ahead, YVO plans to enhance its surveillance capabilities by installing a new combined seismic, acoustic, and GPS monitoring station at Biscuit Basin in June.
The Volcano Alert Level for Yellowstone remains at NORMAL, and the Aviation Color Code is GREEN, indicating no current volcanic hazards.
Real-time footage of Biscuit Basin activity can be accessed via the Biscuit Basin Webcam.
