[Geysers] Shoshone Geyser Basin, 05 July
jacross
jacross at lamar.colostate.edu
Sat Jul 8 13:38:11 PDT 2006
I visited Shoshone Geyser Basin on 05 July. Findings are as follows:
I saw two eruptions of Frill Spring. For at least 23 minutes prior to the
first eruption, the pool was heavily agitated and the pool burst to 1-3 feet,
gathering strength as the eruption approached. The little drinking fountain
vent next to the crater was in a powerful steam/spray eruption to 4 feet,
while the little hole next to it sputtered.
After the first eruption, water drained several feet down in the crater. It
slowly rose, boiling violently. When it reached overflow 18 minutes later,
the second eruption occurred. It was about 20-25 feet high.
After the second eruption, events proceeded as before, but when the third
eruption seemed imminent, 22 minutes later, the boiling suddenly stopped and
the crater went completely quiet. The water drained down 2.5 feet. Over the
next few hours it rose slowly, with at least one powerful roiling overflow but
no further eruptions.
Typically Frill Spring erupts in series every 5 days, with series lasting
around 8 hours and around 15-20 minutes between individual eruptions. This
activity was distinctly different. It probably represents an aborted series.
Bead Geyser was nicely active, with intervals of 70-100 minutes and durations
of just under 2 minutes.
Double Geyser was active, with two intervals of ~60 and 80 minutes.
Other geysers seen active were: Trailside, Soap Kettle, Little Bulger's side
vent, Minute Man, Minute Man's Pool (minors to 4 feet), Gourd and Shield, Iron
Conch, Mangled Crater, Knobby, and an unnamed geyser south of Flake Spring.
The Hydra is almost certainly active (fresh wash) but was not seen.
Meander Geyser was dormant. I have not seen it erupt for a few years now.
Union Geyser and all vents to the east were drained to alarming depths. The
water level in Union is at around -6 feet in the main cone, -4 feet in the
north cone. Sea Green pool is at -4 feet and was actually periodic (though I
do not regard this as a positive sign).
Vents north and west of Union were active at fair levels, with flow from one
ponding on the trail.
Slosh Geyser is probably dormant (no recent wash), though it is hot, clear,
and splashed a little during long pauses in Knobby's activity.
Lion Geyser may have been active but was not seen.
Jeff Cross
jacross at lamar.colostate.edu
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