Yellowstone National Park authorities have noticed a flux of “unusual behaviour” in the world-famous geyser hot spot, including a full blown eruption.
A typically “docile hot pool” dubbed Ear Spring blasted jets of water on Saturday, September 15.
The geyser erupted with hot water for the first time in 14 years, spewing fountains between 20ft and 30ft-high.
On Monday, September 24, United States Geological Survey (USGS) experts said the hot pool is still boiling over with individual bursts of hot water two-feet-high.
Around the time of eruption, parts of the Yellowstone volcano park were closed off to tourists after a brand new thermal feature sprouted out from the ground.
The new feature appeared beneath a tourist boardwalk when a bubbling crack fractured the ground.
The USGS said in its latest Yellowstone Caldera Chronicles update: “News of the changes made great headlines, and it also serves to remind us that volcanic landscapes are dynamic and constantly changing places.”
Since the Ear Spring eruption, park officials have noted a number of unusual new features on Geyser Hill.
A pool of hot water known as Doublet Pool has been boiling over in surges of water two-feet-high.
An unnamed geyser which has not seen any eruptive activity in recent history has begun to spurt water up to 10 and 15-ft-high.
At the same time, Lion Geyser which is known for its numerous eruptions throughout the day, has gone mysteriously silent for three days.
North Goggles geyser, which has been silent since August, erupted in spectacular fashion and is now spewing hot water every 12 to 20 minutes.
According to the USGS, such changes in Yellowstone’s hydrothermal features are not unheard of but their outcome is unknown.
The agency said: “Although the outcome of the current changes in Geyser Hill are uncertain, Yellowstone National Park geologists are monitoring the situation closely.
“The area of thermally heated ground may expand, or a small hydrothermal explosion could occur, much like that which occurred at Porkchop Geyser in 1989.
“We will keep you to date with changes as they occur.”
Similar changes in the Norris Geyser Basin took place in 2003 when a number of new features opened up in the ground.
The new hot springs erupted hot water and brought the overall ground temperatures to the point of “cooking” the local vegetation.
Yellowstone Park’s superintendent at the time closed off the area out of safety concerns.
Tourist boardwalks and paths had to be rearranged to weave in and around the new hot springs.