Yellowstone Closes Road Because It's Melting (What a world, what a world)

Newser ^ | July 20, 2014 | John Johnson

[Enterprise]

You'll never guess why "Firehole Lake Drive" is temporarily off-limits to tourists in Yellowstone National Park. Yes, the popular 3.3-mile loop is closed for a while because the asphalt is melting, reports National Parks Traveler. "Extreme heat from surrounding thermal areas has caused thick oil to bubble to the surface, damaging the blacktop and creating unsafe driving conditions," says a park release. While that kind of thing isn't uncommon given Yellowstone's geology, the damage to the road is "unusually severe," reports the AP.

[Enterprise]

Also: "The park wants non-motorists to stay away from the region as well, because soil that looks solid to a hiker might give way to scalding water below."

Ok, you don't have to tell me TWICE!

[Fai Mao]

This is a disturbing series of events. We really do not want that volcano to erupt

[Steely Tom]

At least they didn’t ascribe it to AGW.

[LukeL]

But they will blame fracking

[fieldmarshaldj]

Feel free to tell it to chill.

[steve86]

What series of events? You were unaware that the ground under Yellowstone has been hot all along?

[PistolPaknMama]

If it blows will they send the wandering children back?

[JRandomFreeper]

We really do not want that volcano to erupt

Above our paygrade.

However... volcanic ash does bode well for vine-culture. I'm going to get some grape vines and oak barrels.

Life gives you lemons, make margaritas, life gives you volcanic ash, make wine. Worked for the Italians.

/johnny

[Enterprise]

That’s the FIRST thing I thought of. Is it getting ready to blow?

[Enterprise]

Yeah, but they probably wanted to though.

[Enterprise]

If it blows, GET OUT OF THE WAY!

[Norm Lenhart]

That thing blows -IT- will send them and everyone else back.

[Norm Lenhart]

Here in AZ I don’t think we are far enough out of the way.

[laplata]

Life gives you lemons, make margaritas, life gives you volcanic ash, make wine. Worked for the Italians.

/johnny

---

Yeah, nothing to worry about if that one blows.

/laplata

[Enterprise]

Think of the bright side. It would stop the invasion at the border.

[Jonty30]

Maybe somebody should suggest Obama take his next vacation there.

[Star Traveler]

Well, that’s why they have some of those places around there with boardwalks ... so you don’t fall through the surface and boil to death ... :-) ...

Just don’t fall off the boardwalks!

[Jonty30]

Yes, but the question is whether or not it’s about to blow.

[Enterprise]

There you go! Don’t be a lobster, stay on the boardwalk!

[JRandomFreeper]

Didn't say that. I'll do the best I can, and look for potential benefits, however tenuous. I left out the part about digging out from 3 meters of ash here, and where, perzactly, I would put that. But we could use more hills.

/johnny