The massive split measures roughly 750 yards long and 50 yards wide and was first discovered by SNS Outfitter & Guides, a hunting company.
"Everyone here is calling it ‘the gash.’ It’s a really incredible sight,” SNS wrote on their Facebook page.
Excited social media users immediately began speculating about the crack’s formation, suggesting that it may be an opening to an underworld or a sign that Yellowstone is about to erupt, the Mother Nature Network reported.
The truth is far less extreme, however.
The “gash” seemingly formed over the course of only a couple of weeks. An engineer explained to SNS that a wet spring had lubricated across a cap rock and then a small spring on either side caused the bottom to slide out.
While this chasm is massive and caused by a mighty event, smaller landslides happen across the nation regularly.
The engineer estimated that there was roughly 15 to 20 million yards of movement involved in this particular geological event.
"An awesome example of how our earth is not as stable as you might think. Awesome forces at work here to move this much dirt!!” wrote Randy Becker, one of the hunters who discovered the giant chasm.
