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EXPLOSIONS!

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A more recent hydrothermal explosion occurred in 1989 at Porkchop Geyser in Norris Geyser Basin. Once a small hot spring, Porkchop began sealing its vent with silica. Pressure built within its system until finally there was a hydrothermal explosion which threw rocks more than 216 feet (66 m). Although Porkchop has returned to being a gently boiling hot spring, a 15 foot (5 m) diameter wall of rock debris surrounds its central spring, evidence of this violent past.

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