It’s so hot at Yellowstone National Park the roads are melting

Credit: National Parks Service

What the road crew at Yellowstone National Park has on its hands is not a routine patch job.

A 3.3-mile loop drive at the park is temporarily closed after a hot spot beneath the road caused by the park’s naturally changing thermal geology began melting the asphalt, the National Park Service (NPS) announced Thursday.

The affected roadway, Firehole Lake Drive, takes visitors past Great Fountain Geyser, White Dome Geyser and Firehole Lake.

“Extreme heat from surrounding thermal areas has caused thick oil to bubble to the surface, damaging the blacktop and creating unsafe driving conditions,” a press release notes.

NPS said park crews are assessing damage and determining what repairs are needed.

According to report from the Associated Press, potholes and other damage to roads and walkways is not uncommon at the park. But, the damage to Firehole Lake Drive is more severe than usual and could take several days to repair.

According to the AP report, unusually warm weather could be partially to blame for the high underground temperatures in the area.

Credit: National Parks Service