Posted on 07/16/2024 8:00:53 AM PDT by Red Badger
Crews work to lift car out of the Semi-Centennial Geyser
Image credit: National Park Service
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t wouldn’t be a day ending in “y” without a tourist having a mishap at Yellowstone National Park.
The latest snafu comes courtesy of five visitors who accidentally drove their SUV into the Semi-Centennial Geyser – a hot, acidic pond located near the park’s Roaring Mountain, between Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Junction.
The geyser has been inactive since 1922, when it experienced a series of eruptions so violent that water was reportedly ejected more than 300 feet (91 meters) into the air. Nevertheless, falling into it would not be a pleasant experience: with water temperatures of around 105 degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees Celsius) and a pH only just above three, it would be more akin to jumping into a hot tub full of vinegar than a nice dip in a pool.
The car was fully submerged under about nine feet (2.74 meters) of this hot, acidic water, park officials said in a statement released on Friday. Thankfully, all five of the vehicle’s occupants were able to get out on their own, and were taken via ambulance to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The roadway near the accident was closed temporarily the next day in order to retrieve the car, which was extracted with the help of local businesses. It was reopened after about two hours.
No details have been released about the people involved, and the incident is currently under investigation by park authorities. Meanwhile, the statement reminds tourists to “stay informed about current road conditions” and “please stay safe.”
And with more than 10,000 hydrothermal features in the park – more than anywhere else on Earth – that advice is always welcome. Of course, the water isn’t the only danger in Yellowstone: only this week, the park raised the fire danger to “high”, meaning that wildfires are likely and may be difficult to control.
But if history is any indication, the biggest threat to tourists? It may just be themselves.
After all – whether it’s a would-be photographer trying to get to the most dangerous geyser in the world for a sweet pic, or a kindly old lady thinking that a massive angry bison looks huggable, one thing is for sure: those Yellowstone park rangers really have their work cut out for them.
Did they get a selfie?
I hate hot acid lakes.
Makes my skin crawl.
who was holding their beers?
SOME PEOPLE PAY GOOD MONEY FOR AN ACID PEEL.................
Makes your skin fall, you mean!................
SUV is cleaner than it’s ever been!.................
And they will prove it if you aren't on guard.
If a used car smells like sulphur you may not want to buy it.
:-)
Looks like they need some guard rails along that stretch of road
Good to know all escaped death or serious injury. Also, at least it wasn’t some pristine lake filled with native trout. Probably not much life if any in that acid pool.
The lake is so acidic it ate the front left wheel and tire right off the car!
Must be smart acid to be able to focus like that. The tire must have been extra-yummy.
Make sure these deceased Biden voters don’t vote
I kniw they lived, I just had to
make a note
Hope it was a rental...
And a portion of them are also behind the wheel of the semi to your right or left.
But it probably was not an accident either.
It was probably the usual stupidity.
Unless they purchased insurance during the rental, they might be liable for damages to the car.
I buy my car rental insurance separately as places like Alamo and Hertz will charge far more.
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