Adolescent experiences severe burns following ground collapse near piping hot thermal pool at Yellowstone
Warning Issued for Dangerous Thermal Areas at Yellowstone National Park
Visitors to Yellowstone National Park are being urged to exercise caution after a series of incidents involving thermal features in the park.
The most recent incident involved a 17-year-old hiker who sustained burn injuries to his foot and ankle while exploring off-trail near Lone Star Geyser. The teenager was given first aid at the scene and subsequently taken to the hospital for further treatment.
Lone Star Geyser, located southeast of Old Faithful, is a 12-foot-tall cone formation that erupts jets of steam reaching 45 feet high. The area around the geyser is notorious for its hidden dangers, with thin ground crusts concealing dangerous pools of scalding water or mud.
Thermal areas at Yellowstone can be deceptively walkable, but the ground is often thin and breakable due to the heat from below. The water circulating beneath the park dissolves and collects volcano-related substances such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. Some microbes can convert these substances into other chemicals that alter the water's pH, making it highly acidic.
The acidic water and steam at Yellowstone are not only boiling hot due to the underlying volcano but also extremely corrosive. Hydrogen sulfide can turn into sulfuric acid, which is highly corrosive and can cause severe burns.
To avoid accidents, park officials are reminding visitors to stay on designated trails and boardwalks, keep a safe distance from thermal features, supervise children and pets closely, wear sturdy footwear, be prepared with water, sun protection, and awareness of their surroundings, do not throw anything into geothermal features, report any hazards, and do not attempt to enter thermal areas.
Sadly, accidents involving thermal features are not uncommon at Yellowstone. Since the late 1800s, around 20 people have died from burns sustained after deliberately entering or accidentally falling into hot springs at the park. The most recent fatality occurred in September 2024, when a 60-year-old woman suffered second and third-degree burns to her left leg.
Park officials stress that it's crucial to heed warnings and stay on trails at Yellowstone, as you cannot tell which pools are deadly hot just by looking at them. Boardwalks and trails at the park protect visitors and delicate thermal formations.
By following these precautions, visitors can safely enjoy the unique geothermal features at Yellowstone National Park.
- Maintaining one's health-and-wellness is paramount while exploring the fitness-and-exercise opportunities provided by hiking in Yellowstone National Park, as visitors should be aware of the dangers posed by climate-change-induced thermal areas.
- Environmental-science research in the park vitalizes our understanding of the transformative properties of water in thermal areas, which can be highly acidic due to the collection of volcano-related substances like hydrogen sulfide.
- In light of tragic past incidents, such as the 60-year-old woman who suffered fatal burns in September 2024, it's essential to prioritize mental-health and emotional safety by adhering to park guidelines and staying on designated trails to minimize the risk of accidentsrelated to sports-betting activities.
- As a sports enthusiast, one might embark on a thrilling Yellowstone adventure, but understanding the unique risks posed by the park's geothermal features, such as the corrosive hydrogen sulfide, fosters a deeper appreciation for the intersection between environmental-science and the pursuit of health-and-wellness.
