Mysterious steam rises in Yellowstone as new vent appears– Is the supervolcano waking up?

New Steaming Vent Appears in Yellowstone, Sign of Ongoing Activity. (Representative Image: Canva)

A new column of steam has emerged in Yellowstone, adding to the park’s dynamic landscape. While the volcano shows no eruption signs, magma below fuels geysers and steaming vents. The latest feature is a reminder of Yellowstone’s ever-changing nature.

New Steaming Feature Discovered
A park scientist spotted the steam column on 5 August while driving south from Mammoth Hot Springs. The discovery, confirmed by Yellowstone geologists, revealed a hydrothermal vent at the base of an ancient lava flow. The vent’s temperature reached 171 degrees Fahrenheit. It may be linked to a steaming feature first seen in 2003.

The vent remains active this winter, though less intense as water drains into the opening. Scientists expect activity to increase again in spring, as temperatures and water levels change. Geologists from Yellowstone Volcano Observatory noted that such features fluctuate over time.

Yellowstone's Volcanic Risk Remains Low
Despite this new activity, experts say Yellowstone’s volcanic risk remains low. The last eruption happened about 70,000 years ago, and most past eruptions were lava flows rather than massive explosions.

If magma rises again, scientists predict decades of warning signs. Strong earthquakes and land deformations would indicate a potential eruption. For now, new steaming vents are a normal part of Yellowstone’s changing volcanic landscape.