A 17-year-old hiker has suffered severe thermal burns after breaking through the fragile crust of a Yellowstone National Park geyser, park officials confirmed. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers lurking in the park's geothermal areas.
The teenager was hiking near the Echinus Geyser in the Norris Geyser Basin when the accident occurred. Unaware of the thin, unstable ground, his foot broke through the surface, plunging into scalding water below.
Emergency Response
Park rangers responded quickly to the incident, which occurred on Tuesday afternoon. The victim was airlifted to a nearby hospital with second and third-degree burns covering his lower leg and foot.
"These thermal areas are incredibly dangerous," warned Yellowstone spokesperson Linda Veress. "The ground may appear solid, but it's often just a thin crust over boiling water that can reach temperatures exceeding 200°F."
Yellowstone's Hidden Dangers
This incident marks the latest in a series of thermal injuries at Yellowstone, where:
- Over 20 people have died from thermal burns since 1890
- Countless others have suffered serious injuries
- The acidic, superheated water can cause rapid tissue damage
Park officials emphasize that visitors must stay on designated boardwalks and trails in geothermal areas. Warning signs are posted throughout the park, but some tourists continue to venture into restricted zones for photographs or a closer look at the spectacular features.
Recovery and Warning
The young hiker is expected to recover but faces a long rehabilitation process. Medical experts note that thermal burns from geothermal features often require specialized treatment due to the unique nature of the injuries.
Yellowstone's spectacular geysers and hot springs attract millions of visitors each year, but this incident serves as a sobering reminder that nature's beauty can be deadly when proper precautions aren't taken.
