[Geysers] Giant in 2006 (Stephens)

[Mike Keller]

Lynn stated:

"Speaking of Mastiff eruptions, Mastiff erupted prior to the Giant eruption
on April 23, 2006.  But the only two signs that washed were the Giant and
"Danger" (which is getting really beat up from all the rolling off the
platform) signs.  The Catfish, Bijou, and Mastiff signs did not wash.  I've
always been somewhat uneasy about statements speculating on whether or not
Mastiff did or did not erupt prior to an eruption of Giant based on the
signs that did or did not wash off the platform.  The events of April 23
cemented my unease about concluding that Mastiff probably did not erupt
because some of the signs did not wash."

This is very true.  In the winter months it is very east to tell as snow and
ice wash around the back of Giant's cone makes it easy to tell if there was
eruptive activity in Mastiff.  This is not the case in the summer.  One
reliable indicator in the past has been the build up of bacteria in Bijou's
runoff when Giant hasn't bee erupting all that frequently.  Heavy wash from
Mastiff would peel this mat completely off the formation.  The way it is
erupting now, unless a marker was in place (and placed in the right place)
it would be difficult to tell if Mastiff erupted at best.  To rely simply on
signs washing would not be 100% accurate.

MK



-----Original Message-----
From: geysers-bounces at wwc.edu [mailto:geysers-bounces at wwc.edu] On Behalf Of
lynn stephens
Sent: Thursday, May 04, 2006 7:48 PM
To: geyser observation reports
Subject: Re: [Geysers] Giant in 2006 (Stephens)

Thanks for sharing your list.  

#164  Mike Keller reported the signs washed sometime between 4/1 and 4/8.
Based on observation of the platform, he estimated it had erupted two days
prior.  I believe that was based on the type of recovery seen earlier in the
year.  As we found out the week of April 17, the recovery pattern changed
sometime prior to the third week of April, and possibly earlier than that.
Hopefully the electronic monitor will give a better date and time for that
eruption.


#165  Paul Strasser reported on the listserv that the signs were replaced by
Katy.
#168  The signs were replaced on 4/23.

#169  M. McLean's email on 4/28 said

>On 4/27 I went out to watch for a marathon recovery hot period and the
signs
>were washed (Replaced by Katy Duffy and Patrick Matheney last night) 

Since he found the signs washed on April 27, I assumed "last night" meant
the signs were replaced on 4/27 since he put "Giant info 4/28/06" as the
subject line.   Also, Paul Strasser posted an email on 4/28 saying he had
"just talked to Denise "Denise at the OF visitor center.  She told me that
Katie replaced the signs on the giant platform yesterday." which would
indicate the signs were replaced on the 27th after Matthew found them
washed.

#168 and 170:  Because the solo Mastiff eruptions were unprecedented, I've
included notes about the solo Mastiff eruptions on 4/22 and 4/29 in the list
of Giant eruptions that I am keeping.

I'm sure all of us keeping lists will scramble to update them when/if the
next electronic record becomes available.  

Not related to Scott's chart, but since I'm writing about Giant:

Speaking of Mastiff eruptions, Mastiff erupted prior to the Giant eruption
on April 23, 2006.  But the only two signs that washed were the Giant and
"Danger" (which is getting really beat up from all the rolling off the
platform) signs.  The Catfish, Bijou, and Mastiff signs did not wash.  I've
always been somewhat uneasy about statements speculating on whether or not
Mastiff did or did not erupt prior to an eruption of Giant based on the
signs that did or did not wash off the platform.  The events of April 23
cemented my unease about concluding that Mastiff probably did not erupt
because some of the signs did not wash.


Lynn Stephens




 
 
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