Geysers Active in 1989, Yellowstone National
Park, Wyoming
T. Scott Bryan
"Monarch of All These Mighty Wonders":
Tourists and Yellowstone's Excelsior Geyser, 1881-1890, Midway Geyser Basin,
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Lee Hale Whittlesey
INTRODUCTION: Tourists traveling to the young Yellowstone National Park during
1881-1890 were, to be sure, going to see its famous Old Faithful Geyser. Many
of them had read accounts of Yellowstone by Langford, Hayden, and others in
magazines and newspapers, or in guidebooks to the West that were constantly
appearing, such as To the Rockies and Beyond [Strahorn, 1881] and The Pacific
Tourist [Williams, 1876]. One 1883 visitor wrote that "the pictures of [Thomas]
Moran have made us impatient to see the wonders of the Yellowstone" [Gunnison,
1884], and Old Faithful was certainly high on the list. But once they arrived
in Wonderland, some of the lucky visitors who happened to make trips in 1881,
1882, 1888, or 1890 might get to see something far more rare and glorious than
Old Faithful or a colorful canyon- the Excelsior Geyser, a natural hot water
fountain capable of projecting boiling water to a football field in height and
a football field wide!
Activity of "Carapace" Geyser, Cascade
Group, Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Marie Wolf
Abstract: Carapace Geyser is a small feature within the western portion of the
Cascade Group. Its activity and relation- ship to a nearby pool are described.
A Short Study of Jewel Geyser, 5-16 August,
1989, Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Ralph C. Taylor Jr. and Brenda K. Taylor
ABSTRACT: This report describes the authors' observations of Jewel Geyser in
August, 1989. 130 closed intervals over a total of seventeen hours are included
in the data. Trends in the periodicity are analyzed, and a mathematical model
relating the ob- served number of bursts in an eruption to the subsequent
interval is derived.
Investigations of Patterns of Minor and
Major Activity of Steamboat Geyser , 1982-1984, Norris Geyser Basin,
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Paul Strasser, Suzanne Strasser, and Bill Pulliam
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ABSTRACT: Prior to 1982, the major eruptions of Steamboat Geyser were believed
to be completely unpredictable and random events. Between 1982 and 1984, our
intense studies of Steamboat led to the discovery that, contrary to the
previously held belief of unpredictability, all observed major eruptions were
preceded by specific changes in the behavior of its frequent minor activity.
The most important aspect of the minor activity was the relative timing of the
start of play from Steamboat's two main vents. The style of the play from each
vent (vertical or oblique, sustained or intermittent) was also significant.
During the days or weeks preceding a major eruption, the minor play progressed
through fairly consistent pattern of behavior. This pattern was clearest when
major eruptions occurred at shorter intervals. No simple pre-major indicator
could be identified without knowledge of the progression of minor play since
the last major eruption, thus single observations of minor activity were of
little significance.
Since Steamboat is currently the world's tallest geyser - and arguably the most
spectacular - it is expected that individuals will wish to devote considerable
time to its study when it again enters an active phase. We hope that the
information included herein will assist future observers to better understand
Steamboat and possibly witness one of its major eruptions, which undoubtedly is
Yellowstone's most marvelous attraction.
A Summary of the General and Geothermal
Geology of the Long Valley-Mono Lake Region, Mono County, California
T. Scott Bryan
Abstract: In both its age and general geological-hydrological framework,
California's Long Valley Caldera is very similar to Yellowstone. The most
significant differences lie in the comparatively intense record of recent
volcanic and seismic activity, and the relatively lesser geothermal action.
This paper reports on the history of the caldera and its geothermal systems,
and includes recent observational studies of the hot springs.
Activity of Valentine Geyser and Other
Related Features, Norris Geyser Basin, Summer 1988, Yellowstone National Park,
Wyoming
Mike Keller
INTRODUCTTION: The best place from which to observe Valentine Geyser is the
boardwalk bench at the Whirligig Geysers. Looking back toward the Norris
Museum, within a large alcove is what appears to be a geyserite cone. This is
Valentine. The vent is actually a crack in a large rhyolite boulder measuring
roughly 4.25 X 6 feet.
Until 1988, when a single major eruption was observed, Valentine had apparently
been dor-mant (or nearly so) since 1978. It was, however, definitely active
during the fall, winter and spring of 1988-1989 since markers were washed and
channels were cut in the snow.
The first eruption I observed was on May 22, 1989.
The Sentinel Group: Historical Perspective
and Present Day Activity, Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park,
Wyoming
Rocco Paperiello
INTRODUCTION: The Sentinel Meadows is today an almost forgotten area of the
Lower Geyser Basin, yet a few remarkable thermal features reside there.
Narcissus Revisited, Lower Geyser Basin,
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
John S. and Marion S. Rinehart
INTRODUCTION: In 1968 we made extensive observations on the behavior of
Narcissus Geyser in Yellowstone National Park. These observations, extending
over a period of several days, included simultaneous continuous temperature
measurements at both top and bottom of the geyser reservoir over 8 to 10 hour
time periods. In addition, the physical state of the geyser was monitored as
regards filling and emptying rates, overflows, over- turnings, times of
eruptions, and number and height of bursts. The results of these observations
were published in 1970 [Rinehart, 1970].
During the next 20 years we made almost yearly, casual visits to the geyser to
check on its behavior. Although we did not make systematic observations, our
impression was that Narcissus, behavior was not changing. Bryan's [1986]
description of this geyser, however, made us think that perhaps changes were
taking place, so that in 1987, 1988 and 1989 we spent one 8 to 10 hour period
each year continuously monitoring the geyser. From these observations, we have
concluded that its behavior has not changed appreciably over the last 20 years.
The Cold Water Geysers of Utah I:
Observations of Woodside Geyser
Clark Murray
Abstract: Woodside Geyser erupts from a drilled well at what w once and may
again be a developed roadside attraction. Although subject to frequent
vandalism, its activity h not significantly changed over the years.
The Cold Water Geysers of Utah II:
Observations of Crystal Geyser
Clark Murray
Abstract: Crystal Geyser, a spectacular cold-water geyser near Green River,
Utah, has been extensively observed. Its eruptive activity follows a clear
progression which is reflected by the action in other, nearby features.
Description of the Valley Hot Springs,
Beowawe, Nevada, 1972-1986
T. Scott Bryan
Abstract: The hot springs and geysers at Beowawe can be divided into two
distinct groups: those on the top and flanks of the large geyserite Beowawe
Terrace, and those on the flat sinter platform on the valley floor below the
terrace. Historically, most attention was paid to the terrace springs, with
those below receiving little note. Since most Beowawe action after the time of
early geothermal drilling was confined to the valley floor springs, I made
observations of them on several occasions. Here these springs are described.
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