[Geysers] Mastiff & Giant 23 July 2006

[MaryBeth Schwarz]

     Oblong erupted at 07:04 and 12:38.  The Giant hot period started at 
13:09 with Feather, quickly followed by Feather Satellite.  Mastiff was 3-5' 
and wide and then erupting at 13:13.  At 13:14:41 Mastiff quit and there 
were no vents erupting at 13:15, and there had been no water seen in Giant's 
cone.   The crowd suddenly became very quiet waiting to see what would 
happen next.  Mastiff was rising at 13:15 and Giant had some water in the 
cone and the SW Vents at 13:17 followed by Feather.  At 1318 Mastiff was 
5-6' and then erupting to about 50'.  Giant had water in the cone with 
vertical splashes and the high column of Giant rose late in 13:19.  Mastiff 
lasted about 3 minutes and maybe someone can give an estimate of the height 
of Catfish (I was trying to photograph it).  All of this happened in a short 
time and everyone was quite excited and screaming.  There had been rain in 
the morning and the cloudy sky was breaking up a bit when the hot period 
began, with sun on the last part of the eruption.  For some gazers this was 
their first Giant or their first Giant start.   What a day!

     Mary Beth