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WATCH: New thermal activity reported near Old Faithful in Yellowstone

Posted at 10:51 AM, Sep 20, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-20 12:51:06-04

Yellowstone National Park says there is some new thermal activity near Old Faithful.

The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory reports a rare eruption of Ear Spring on Geyser Hill, just across the Firehole River and within sight of Old Faithful.

Water shot 20 to 30 feet out of the spring and spat out rocks, old coins, cans and other debris thrown into the spring over the years.

A small area around the spring is rising and falling about six inches every ten minutes.

Nearby a new, small geyser, or spouter, has erupted directly under the boardwalk.

Scientists say there are no signs of new volcanic activity in Yellowstone, but they say a small hydrothermal explosion could happen at any time. That would throw hot water and rocks for several hundred feet.

As a result, some boardwalks near the new activity have been closed to protect the public.