Activity At Yellowstone Cause For Concern, Park Closed To Vehicles

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Yellowstone National Park has been temporarily closed to vehicles due to thermal activity that is affecting the nearby roads.

The park says a new thermal feature became visibly active in May near the Upper Terrace parking lot, seeing temperatures of up to 152 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kpax.com reports:

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Rangers noticed additional thermal activity this week adjacent to and under the pavement, which triggered the temporary closure.

Thermal imaging shows heat under the pavement as well.

Park geologist Dr. Hank Heasler said, “We have known this area had heat near the surface based on the fact that it does not hold snow in the winter. We drilled two holes a half-meter (20 inches) deep, both of which now have hot water bubbling at the surface or very near the surface.”

Park visitors are still able to walk on the Upper Terrace Drive.

Maintenance staff is preparing bumper logs to protect the thermal feature and keep the outflow off of the pavement.

Once those are in place, the road will reopen to vehicle traffic.

Heasler noted, “As in all of the thermal areas, visitors need to stay on the boardwalks or paved areas and avoid touching thermal features.”