Recent Changes in Geyser Activity at Loburu,
Lake Bogoria,
Kenya Rift
Valley
By Robin W. Renaut, R. Bernhart Owen, and
John K. Ego
Abstract: Major
changes in hydrothermal activity have accompanied frequent fluctuations in the
level of
Lake Bogoria,
Kenya, during the past decade. Even
minor changes in the levels of the lake surface and the shallow lake-marginal
groundwater can have an impact on geyser behavior. Some
geysers that were active during 2001 and 2005 had become weak
hot springs
or steam vents by August 2006 following a fall in lake level, whereas activity
at other springs had increased. At
Loburu delta on the western shore of the lake, the geyser activity increased,
and one of the geysers, KL30, erupted on a regular 45-minute cycle to 5 m
height. When active, KL30 is
probably the highest natural geyser in
Africa.
In contrast, a major rise in lake level in 2007 suppressed activity at many of the geysers,
including KL30.
The
Short Active Period of “Improbable Geyser” October-November
2005
By Stephen J. Eide
Abstract: “Improbable
Geyser,” located on Geyser Hill, experienced a brief active phase in October
and November 2005. This article
summarizes its activity describing major eruptions and physical changes in the
geyser’s formation.
The
Behavior of the Grand Group During the Summers of 2005 and
2006
By Vicki M. Whitledge and Ralph
Taylor
Abstract: During
the summers of 2005 and 2006 extra electronic data loggers were placed in the
Grand Group. These loggers
recorded the activity of Turban Geyser and Grand’s pool. Loggers
were also in place on Grand Geyser, West Triplet Geyser, and Rift Geyser. This
paper analyzes the data obtained from these five loggers and discusses some of
the relationships among these features.
The
Activity of Giant Geyser August 2005-April 2008
By Tara Cross
Abstract: Giant
Geyser had one of its best active phases in recorded history from August 2005
through April 2008. A thorough
study of reports, electronic data, and personal observations has been
summarized. The article discusses
Giant and its related features; its major phases of activity from August 6,
2005, through April 29, 2008, focusing on the period from April 2006 through
November 2007; and dominant patterns of activity during that time.
Novel Methods for the Analysis of Grotto and Giant Geysers
in the Years 2000 through 2007
By Thomas F. Magnera
Abstract: The
eruptions of Grotto and Giant Geysers for the years 2000 through 2007 are
analyzed by methods based on the duty cycle, the reset time, the maximum energy
efficiency, the Hilbert transform of a frequency-modulated telegraph series,
and Grotto-to-Giant intervals. Grotto’s
transformation from a regular to irregular geyser after September 2005 is
related to changes in the long-period modulation and increased average eruption
duration. The reset time and duty
cycle concepts allow the division of Grotto eruptions into two new types, each
associated with a distinct average reset time. The
Grotto-to-Giant interval analysis confirms a recent 9-hour rule for ‘recovery’
Giants, and puts a lower bound on the marathon interval that precedes an
eruption of Giant.
Changes in the Minor Activity of Geysers Prior to a Major
Eruption
By Jeff Cross
Abstract: Giant
Geyser, Steamboat Geyser, Fan and Mortar Geysers, and Grand Geyser each erupt
from complicated plumbing systems with two or more vents. The
quiet interval between major eruptions of these geysers is punctuated by cycles
of minor activity. During these
cycles, the vents divide themselves into two groups which act antagonistically. Just
prior to the major eruption, the antagonistic activity is replaced by concerted
activity from all the vents. A
hypothesis is presented to explain this observation.
Baby
Daisy Geyser Activity in 2003-2004
By Ralph Taylor
Abstract: Baby
Daisy geyser is located in the Old Road Group of the
Upper
Geyser
Basin
. It has had only
three known periods of activity: 1952,
lasting less than one year; 1959, lasting less than one year, and 2003-4,
lasting from February 2003 to December 2004. This
paper discusses the 2003-4 activity as reported by observers between February
and June of 2003 and as recorded electronically from June 2003 to the end of
the active cycle in December 2004.
Flood
Geyser – Patterns Over Time
By Lynn Stephens
Abstract: This
paper describes eruptive behavior patterns of Flood Geyser.
It also presents evidence that Flood Geyser’s longer and stronger eruptions are succeeded by
longer intervals.
Activity of
Excelsior Geyser, September 14-16, 1985
By Mary Ann Moss
Abstract: During
its active episodes in the 1880s and 1890s, Excelsior Geyser was undoubtedly
one of the tallest, most spectacular geysers the world has ever known. Historical
accounts of Excelsior describe violent eruptions that were 300 feet tall and
nearly as wide. However, the brief
active phase in September 1985 remains the only known instance of major
eruptions of Excelsior since it fell dormant in 1901. A
few people were lucky enough to witness the 1985 activity, including Park
Volunteer Mary Ann Moss, geyser gazer Mike Keller, and park employee Ed Wagner. What
follows are their personal accounts and photographs documenting the unique
activity of September 15 and 16, 1985. Mary
Ann Moss was a volunteer for Park Geologist Rick Hutchinson, who asked her to
take notes on the activity. She
has shared her recollections here, along with the detailed notes she took, her
photographs, and the original memorandum from
Hutchinson
. Supplementing this
are additional photographs by Ed Wagner and a first-hand account by Mike
Keller.
Observations of “Underhill Geyser” in the
Lower
Geyser
Basin
By Stephen Michael Gryc
Abstract: “Underhill
Geyser” (known earlier as “Dragonfly Geyser”) has a brief recorded history of
eruptive activity, and this article is the first published description of the
feature. The author observed 32
eruptions over a period of two successive days in July of 2006. A
typical eruption is described and a table of timed activity is provided.
Narcissus Geyser Eruption Patterns June 27-July 31,
2005
By T. Scott Bryan
Abstract: Narcissus
Geyser’s pattern of alternating long and short intervals has been written about
since at least the early 1980s. Electronic
monitoring has made further analysis possible. This
article examines the interval and duration data in July 2005, concluding that
Narcissus’ unusual alternating pattern of long duration-short interval, short
duration-long interval eruptions existed over 96% of the time.
Geyser Activity in the Upper, Midway, Lower, Gibbon and Lone
Star
Geyser
Basins
, and
Other Thermal Areas, Yellowstone National Park,
1988-2006
By Jeff Cross
Abstract: The
recent history of over 60 geysers in
Yellowstone’s backcountry and undeveloped
frontcountry thermal areas from1988 through 2006 is presented. My observations
are compared with other observations during and immediately prior to the years
covered by this study.
The Number of Geysers in Backcountry and Undeveloped
Frontcountry Thermal Areas in
Yellowstone
National
Park
By Jeff Cross
Abstract: The
object of this paper is to present a list of geysers that exist in the
backcountry and undeveloped frontcountry thermal areas in
Yellowstone
National
Park
.
Although many of these geysers are listed in T. Scott Bryan’s
The Geysers of Yellowstone, reference to additional sources shows that
a total of 529 known geysers in backcountry and undeveloped frontcountry areas
have been active at some time since the Park’s creation in 1872. A
detailed list of these 529 geysers, including name, location, and literature
reference, is presented.
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