'Super volcano' explodes and sends tourists running in Yellowstone

The ‘localized hypothermal explosion’ happened near the Sapphire Pool in Biscuit Basi shortly after 10.15am on Tuesday, according to the National Park Service (NPS).

A video shared on social media showed the material bursting into the sky higher than the frame of the clip and white dust spreading around it.

‘S*** run, run, run, run, run,’ a woman could be heard yelling as the video became shaky.

Tourists walking away on a wooden boardwalk could be seen looking back beginning to run away from the explosion.

‘Biscuit basin at Yellowstone national park Montana just exploded right in front of us. Boardwalk destroyed, my mom got some of the debris but everyone is safe,’ wrote a Facebook user who shared the clip. ‘Unbelievable and grateful to be alive.’

Part of the boardwalk was damaged.

‘No injuries were reported and the extent of damage is unknown at this time,’ stated the NPS.

A hydrothermal event is seen in Biscuit Basin in Yellowstone National Park in 2009 (Picture: AP)

Biscuit Basin in Yellowstone National Park after it was temporarily closed due to hydrothermal explosion (Picture: Reuters)

Hypothermal explosions take place when water suddenly becomes steam underground. They are ‘relatively common’ in America’s first national park, which is mostly in Wyoming but also reaches into areas of Montana and Idaho.