A newly installed webcam caught Black Diamond Pool in Yellowstone National Park exploding once again. According to the US Geological Survey, the May 31 eruption took place at the same site where a hydrothermal explosion in July 2024 sent debris spewing into the air.
The area has yet to be reopened to visitors after the large explosion last year damaged the walkways.
Yellowstone Volcano Observatory scientist Mike Poland told Cowboy State Daily, “We had the feeling these kinds of things were happening. Now, we can see them, and this will help us better understand the new normal for Black Diamond Pool.”
Poland and other scientists believe the July 23 event permanently altered the pool’s behavior and plumbing system and have yet to establish its new pattern of behavior.
Yellowstone superintendent Cam Sholly has stated the National Park Service won’t reopen Biscuit Basin until they get the go-ahead from the scientists.
“We were all excited by the idea of this webcam, so it’s wonderful to have such quick confirmation of the importance of putting it out there,” Poland told Cowboy State Daily. “I expect that we will see more of these types of events, so we need to track and document how many times it happens and see whether or not there’s any pattern to these eruptions.”
